‍ATLANTA – February 12, 2026 – The Weather Channel announced today it will deliver comprehensive, multi-perspective, and multi-location special coverage of NASA’s Artemis II mission. Ahead of and during the launch, The Weather Channel’s meteorologists and leading American space authorities will examine the atmospheric and space-weather conditions critical to launching humans toward the Moon.

For the first time since 1972, NASA is sending humans on a path to the moon with Artemis II. Launching atop NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, four astronauts will embark on a 10-day mission to orbit the Moon. Artemis II marks the first crewed flight of the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft, testing modern human deep-space capabilities and paving the way for sustained lunar exploration and science.

The mission reached a key milestone on January 17, when the Artemis II SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft arrived at Launch Pad 39B following a nearly 12-hour rollout from Kennedy Space Center’s Vehicle Assembly Building. The earliest launch opportunity opened and passed on February 6, 2026, with additional windows extending through April 2026. Launch windows are determined by Earth-Moon alignment, lighting, communications requirements, and strict weather-related GO/NO-GO criteria essential to crew safety and mission success. 

Remaining Artemis II Launch Windows (2026)

• April: April 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 30

Once NASA confirms a launch date, The Weather Channel will deploy its veteran broadcast teams to provide live reporting and expert analysis from key mission locations:

• Kennedy Space Center, Fla.: Jen Carfagno will report from the launchpad, delivering real-time analysis of lightning risk, upper-level winds, cloud cover, and other GO/NO-GO launch criteria.
• Johnson Space Center, Houston: Paul Goodloe will report from Orion Mission Control, tracking progress and examining weather considerations affecting the crew.
• Cocoa Beach, Fla.: Stephanie Abrams will report from Florida’s Space Coast, capturing on-the-ground conditions and the public experience surrounding the launch.
• The Weather Channel IMR studio: Alex Wilson will anchor from the network’s Immersive Mixed Reality studio, using advanced visualization technology to explain conditions, timing, and other variables in real time. Science communicator and influencer, Astro Alexandra, will join Alex in studio to break down complex aspects of the launch in engaging, easy-to-understand ways for viewers of all ages
• Splashdown, San Diego, Ca.: Approximately 10 days after launch, Paul Goodloe will cover the Artemis II splashdown, reporting on coastal weather conditions critical to Orion recovery operations.

Ahead of the launch, The Weather Channel’s meteorologists will be available for interviews to discuss atmospheric and space-weather factors that could affect launch and splashdown timing, including lightning constraints, wind shear, cloud ceilings, solar activity, and more. 

Live Artemis II coverage will air across The Weather Channel and The Weather Channel TV streaming app, with continuous reporting throughout the launch window and mission lifecycle.

ABOUT THE WEATHER CHANNEL TELEVISION NETWORK 

The Weather Channel television network is America’s most trusted, top-rated, widely distributed weather network. For 43 years, it has led severe weather coverage with an award-winning team of meteorologists, scientists, and visual producers delivering the nation’s most comprehensive analysis of any media outlet. The network has earned multiple Emmy™ Awards, including honors in 2019, 2021, and 2024 for its Immersive Mixed Reality technology, and a 2025 Emmy™ Award for Outstanding Breaking News Coverage for its Hurricane Helene reporting. The Weather Channel Streaming TV App is available on Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Samsung, Android TV, VIZIO, and Xfinity Flex. Learn more at weathergroup.com.

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Media Contact: Robyn Ware, robyn.ware@weathergroup.com