NASA's Artemis II crewed mission to the moon shows how U.S. space strategy has changed since Apollo -- and contrasts with China's closed program.

The space agency conducted a crucial fueling test today (Feb. 2) with the Artemis 2 mission's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, loading more than 700,000 gallons (2.65 million liters) of cryogenic liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) into the two-stage vehicle on Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida.

Artemis II echoes the Apollo-era missions that paved the way for the first moon landing — and sets the stage for what comes next.

NASA had planned to run its wet dress rehearsal for the Artemis II mission at Kennedy Space Center as early as Saturday, but it will have to thread the needle before temperatures drop below the agency’s limits for the tanking test.

NASA's Artemis 2, the 1st crewed flight to the moon in 5 decades, could launch as early as Feb. 6. First, the rocket will need to ace a fueling test.

More than 50 years after NASA's last human mission to the moon, four astronauts, three Americans and a Canadian, are set for the 10-day Artemis II mission to the far side of the moon.

NASA's Artemis II mission will fly a one-inch-square swatch of Wright Flyer fabric alongside other historic mementos as the agency updates the mission's pre-launch schedule.

NASA's Artemis II simulated launch is scheduled for tonight after Arctic weather forced the mission to be delayed. The first crewed Artemis mega moon rocket could still leave Earth as early as this weekend.

Even as NASA celebrated the rollout of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft for Artemis II over the weekend, NASA's new administrator, Jared Isaacman, made sure to put an asterisk on the program's future.

Time to suit up!