earliest possible launch date for Artemis The II rocket that will carry Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen around the moon is scheduled for February 8.

NASA said cold weather and winds blowing through Florida and the Kennedy Space Center over the past few days led to the adjusted timeline.

They said the adjustment would position the space agency for success, as the weather was expected to “violate launch conditions.”

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On Monday, crews will perform a simulated launch, known as a wet dress rehearsal, to make sure they are ready for launch day.

Hansen, who hails from London, Ont., will serve as a mission specialist during Artemis II, becoming the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit, marking a historic achievement for Canada.

Artemis II will be the first manned mission to the Moon since 1972 — the year of the last Apollo mission.

“Although NASA will wait to set a launch date until the teams review the outcome of the dress rehearsal, Friday, February 6, and Saturday, February 7, are no longer viable opportunities,” NASA said in a statement.

“Any further delay would result in a day-to-day change.”

After the mission, which lasted approximately 10 days, the spacecraft is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean.