RECENT NEWS from The DebriefNASA Engages Final Preparations for Artemis IIThis week, anticipation continues to build as NASA engages in final preparations for the launch of its Artemis II mission, which will send the first crew of astronauts around the Moon in more than half a century. An Ambitious Trip Around the MoonWith a target launch no earlier than February 6, 2026, potential launch windows for the forthcoming Artemis mission extend through April of this year. During the simulation, NASA engineers will demonstrate the ability to fuel up to 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants into the rocket. Even as far south as Florida, winter weather made operations in preparation for the Artemis launch far cooler than usual. “The team continues operations to prepare Orion for flight, including stowing items inside the spacecraft and performing planned pyrotechnic work on the launch abort system,” NASA said on Monday.