NASA rewraps Boeing Starliner Astrovan II for Artemis II ride to launch pad

In an exciting milestone for the Artemis II mission, NASA has officially readied the Boeing Astrovan II, a vehicle rich in the legacy of U.S. space exploration. On December 20, the astronauts selected for this groundbreaking journey—marking the first lunar flyby in over 50 years—engaged in a practice launch countdown at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew, comprising Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, conducted their rehearsal as they prepare for their mission slated for early next year, with launch dates anticipated between February and April 2026. The Astrovan II, a modified Airstream motorhome nearly 25 feet long, was showcased outside the astronauts' quarters, adorned with graphics representing the moon, the mission's emblem, and other program insignia. Interestingly, this vehicle was not the original choice for crew transport. In July 2023, NASA had received three fully electric vans from Canoo Technologies, a startup that had been awarded the contract to prioritize the astronauts' comfort and safety. However, after Canoo filed for bankruptcy six months later, NASA halted the use of these electric vans due to insufficient support for mission needs. With no available astronauts to utilize the electric vans, NASA turned to Boeing, which provided the Astrovan II, ensuring that the crew had a reliable and historic vehicle for their momentous journey to the launch pad.