NASA is preparing to roll its massive Artemis II moon rocket back to the launch pad on Thursday evening, following completion of repairs and preparations for the upcoming lunar mission.

The rocket will be positioned at the launch pad in preparation for an April 1 launch date, marking a significant milestone in NASA's ambitious Artemis program to return humans to lunar orbit.

The Artemis II mission will carry four astronauts on a historic flight around the moon, representing the first crewed lunar mission since the Apollo program ended more than 50 years ago. The crew will circle the moon without landing before returning to Earth.

The rocket's return to the launch pad comes after NASA completed necessary repairs and systems checks. The agency has been working to ensure all components are ready for the complex lunar mission.

The Artemis II flight is part of NASA's broader strategy to establish a sustainable human presence on and around the moon, serving as a stepping stone for future missions that will land astronauts on the lunar surface and eventually support missions to Mars.