Artemis NASA returns its SLS rocket back to the launch pad ahead of planned April flight of Artemis 2 March 19, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith The rollout of the 322-foot-tall rocket took fewer than 12 hours after first motion, which occurred at about 12:20 a.m. EDT (0420 UTC). NASA hopes to launch the crewed test flight to the Moon no earlier than April 1.