NASA Completes Final Pre-Launch Readiness for Artemis II; Countdown Begins

NASA teams at Kennedy Space Center completed final launch readiness activities for Artemis II ahead of the April 1 launch attempt. The launch team loaded consumables, verified all systems, and conducted final interface checks on the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft at LC-39B. The automated countdown sequence began in the early morning hours of March 31. NASA published a readiness blog post confirming all major systems were 'go' — propulsion, avionics, communications, flight software, and launch abort system. Weather forecast improved slightly to 85% favorable as a high-pressure system pushed storm systems offshore. Crew egress rehearsal was conducted with all four crew members at the launch pad.