The rollout sets the stage for tests and dress rehearsals ahead of NASA's first crewed flight to the moon in more than 50 years. The mission could launch in three weeks.

NASA’s Artemis II rocket has reached its launch pad after a painstaking overnight crawl across Kennedy Space Center. Engineers are now preparing for crucial fueling and countdown tests ahead of the first crewed Artemis mission.

China’s first launches of 2026 send Yaogan spacecraft into unusual orbit, loft Guowang satellites  China conducted a pair of Long March rocket launches Tuesday, kicking off what is likely to be a record-breaking year for the country.

The wet dress rehearsal is NASA’s closest simulation of launch day, stopping just seconds before liftoff. The term comes from Broadway, where a dress rehearsal is the final practice before opening night. NASA added “wet” because the tanks are filled with liquid propellants.