WATCH LIVE: NASA fuels Artemis 2 moon rocket for launch

Watch live as NASA launches the Artemis 2 astronauts to the moon today, April 1, at 6:24 p.m. EDT (2224 GMT). See our live Artemis 2 moon mission updates here.

NASA's Artemis II Live Mission Coverage (Official Broadcast) - YouTube NASA's Artemis II Live Mission Coverage (Official Broadcast) - YouTube
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Skywatching

graphic with night sky in large font and silhouettes of people below looking up at the night sky.

Night sky tonight (April 1) — See the full 'Pink Moon' rise in the east at sunset

By Jamie Carter last updated

Find out what you can see in the night sky for tonight, from planets and stars to dazzling meteor showers.

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Stargazing

Aurora forecast April 1 — Solar storm is running late but tonight could still deliver

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

The latest aurora forecast for tonight helps you make sure you're in the right place at the right time to see the northern lights.

Auroras

How to use your Unistellar smart telescope to track the Artemis 2 rocket light curve in the name of science

By Harry Bennett published

Unistellar co-founder tells Space.com about how citizen scientists are using smart telescopes to engage in planetary defense.

Skywatching Kit
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Spaceflight

A white rocket nose with the circular NASA logo stands next to the metal gantry underneath a glowing large full moon in a black night sky. There is a graphic of a clock on the moon to convey the what time is Artemis 2l launch.

What time is NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission launch today? Full schedule

By Samantha Mathewson last updated

The launch window for Artemis 2 opens on April 1 and runs through April 6. Here's what time you'll need to tune in.

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Artemis
four people in blue flight suits and sunglasses smile and wave on a concrete tarmac

Yes, NASA's launching Artemis 2 astronauts to the moon on April Fools' Day. It's not a joke.

By Tariq Malik published

NASA is hoping for a historic moon launch, not a punchline on April 1.

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Artemis

Comet MAPS faces a make-or-break moment as it dives toward the sun on April 4 — could it shine in the daytime sky?

By Joe Rao published

Comet MAPS is about to face its ultimate test as it sweeps just 101,000 miles above the sun's surface.

Asteroid & Comet Missions
A large white space shuttle labeled in red "NASA" is seen in the darkness of space.

What will happen if Artemis 2 astronauts get hit by a solar storm during NASA's ambitious moon mission?

By Leonard David published

"If an event is particularly bad, there are some places in the capsule, such as storage bays and down by the toilet, that the crew can go to."

Artemis
The Artemis 2 prime and backup crews practice eating in a simulator. From left: Jenni Gibbons, backup crew (Canadian Space Agency); Victor Glover, prime crew (NASA) and Christina Koch, prime crew (NASA).

What will the Artemis 2 astronauts eat during their historic moon mission? (video)

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

The Artemis 2 astronauts will spend about 10 days flying to and from the moon, so they'll need to find creative ways to dine in a small space.

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Artemis
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Science & Astronomy

What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2026

By Tariq Malik, Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Reference See what moon phase it is tonight and find out when you can see the rest of the moon phases for 2026.

Reference

This star-forming galaxy is blowing out powerful winds topping 2 million mph

By Robert Lea published

NASA's XRISM X-ray spacecraft has clocked 2 million mph winds ripping out of a distant galaxy bursting with star formation.

Galaxies
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Space Photo of the Day

a white-and-orange rocket rolls out of a large hangar at night

Artemis 2 moon rocket rolls back to launch pad | Space photo of the day for March 20, 2026

By Brett Tingley published

NASA's Space Launch System rocket was back on the move overnight ahead of its second mission to the moon, which will be the first time the vehicle carries a crew.

Space Exploration
SpaceX's Ship 39 looks cool as it undergoes cryosystem checks on Sunday March 8

SpaceX's Ship 39 is so cool in Starship V3 test | Space photo of the day for March 9, 2026

By Robert Lea published

SpaceX engineers tested Ship 39's propellant system, leading to some stunning images.

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Space Exploration
An image of RCW 36 in which the Milky Way nebula appears like a vast cosmic bird of prey

Cosmic Hawk spreads its wings| Space photo of the day for March 6, 2026

By Robert Lea published

The Milky Way nebula RCW 36 resembles a stunning cosmic bird of prey in an incredible Very Large Telescope image.

Galaxies
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Entertainment

'Forbidden Planet' at 70: Why the original sci-fi blockbuster is still out of this world

By Richard Edwards published

The movie that took Shakespeare to the stars, and wrote the blueprint for movie space opera.

Space Movies & Shows
a US Army ranger sergeant in uniform

'It didn't feel like a sci-fi movie': Esai Morales on bringing an Army Ranger to life in Netflix's sci-fi hit 'War Machine' (interview)

By Jeff Spry published

"Playing military characters is always interesting for me. They're all homages to a family member."

Space Movies & Shows
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What's Up In Space Today

Search For Life

The SETI Institute's Allen Telescope Array in Northern California searches for radio signals that could have been generated by intelligent alien life.

Where are all the aliens? Maybe they just don't want to talk to us

By Leonard David published

A civilization capable of interstellar travel may also be one that has moved beyond conquest, excess and ecological self-destruction — and it therefore may not want to talk to us.

18 Comments
Search for Life
Artist's illustration of a free-floating "rogue" planet and its Earth-like moon.

No sun, no problem? How life could thrive on moons of starless 'rogue' planets

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Exomoons orbiting rogue planets could host liquid water for billions of years, offering potential habitats for life deep in interstellar space.

Search for Life
The SETI Institute's Allen Telescope Array in Northern California searches for radio signals that could have been generated by intelligent alien life.

Where are all the aliens? Maybe space weather is scrambling their transmissions

By Keith Cooper published

We may be missing alien radio signals because they have become smeared beyond the narrowband detectors that SETI utilizes, a new study suggests.

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Search for Life
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Technology

NASA Artemis 2 gifts we love: Mark today's launch with these picks

By Rich Owen last updated

NASA's Artemis 2 blasts off to the moon today and that's no joke! Join the mission with this stellar collection of space-flight merchandise, from Lego and hoodies to mission patches and metal posters.

Technology

Our round-up of the best NASA Artemis 2 gear on planet Earth

By Rich Owen last updated

After a handful of hitches, the historic Artemis 2 mission heads to the moon today. Mark this momentous occasion with the best NASA Artemis 2 merch, from Lego and stickers to mugs and hoodies.

Technology
A male looking through the Nikon Monarch M7 8x42 binoculars with a grey sky in the background and a black Space.com deals badge in the upper left corner.

Amazon Spring Sale deals for stargazing 2026: Huge savings on telescopes, binoculars and cameras

By Harry Bennett last updated

It's the final day of the Amazon Spring Sale, so don't miss out on hundreds of dollars off the best skywatching optics and cameras.

Technology
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