The launch of Crew-12 in the early morning hours of 13 February 2026 allowed for the opportunity to photograph Artemis 2 on Launch Complex 39B at night.

Note the cables coming down from the gantry at left. These are part of the Artemis Emergency Egress System. If there is an accident at the pad prior to launch it allows for the crew to exit the Orion spacecraft and make their way to SUV-sized baskets that will slide down the cables to quickly carry the crew away from the pad.

The Space Launch System uses two solid rocket boosters that provide most of the thrust at liftoff. The Artemis 2 boosters commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

Waiting patiently to go to the Moon . . .

Click to view images of Artemis 2 on the pad during a daylight visit.