Exploration Ground Systems Ceremony

NASA’s Exploration Ground System’s Senior Vehicle Operations Manager Matt Czech, second from left, passes the baton to Artemis II Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, second from right, as NASA Exploration Ground System’s Cross-Program Integration Lead Allison Mjoen, left, and Artemis II Assistant Launch Director Jeremy Graeber, right, look on, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The passing of the baton signals the teams are ready for NASA’s Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft to depart the Vehicle Assembly building and head to Launch Complex 39B ahead of the Artemis II mission. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)