Celebrate the first Canadian around the Moon!

You’re Invited: Artemis II Launch Watch Party

Location: Ye Olde Towne Hall, Ailsa Craig 

Date & Time: [to be confirmed] 

Artemis II mission, the first crewed mission around the Moon in more than 50 years. Join us for a truly historic moment as we gather to watch the launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed mission around the Moon in more than 50 years.

Live launch coverage will be shown on the big screen.

This mission is especially meaningful for our community. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen lived in Ailsa Craig as a child, and our village is still proudly listed as his hometown in his official biography. From a small rural community to a journey around the Moon, this is a moment we can truly call one of our own.

Come celebrate space exploration, Canadian achievement, and a remarkable hometown connection. Bring your curiosity, your excitement, and your neighbours. All ages are welcome.

Let’s watch history together — from Ailsa Craig to the Moon. 

NASA currently lists a range of possible launch dates rather than a single fixed time because:

Technical readiness reviews: Before a launch date can be locked in, NASA must complete critical milestone tests — especially the wet dress rehearsal, where the rocket is fully fueled and systems are tested under launch-like conditions. If any part of that rehearsal reveals issues that need fixing, the launch date can shift.

Orbital mechanics: Launch windows for a lunar mission are narrow and depend on the Moon’s position, lighting, and trajectory constraints needed to safely send Orion on its fly-around course. That means only specific days and specific hours each day are viable for launch.

Weather and other real-world factors: Conditions like high winds, storms, or ground support issues around the Kennedy Space Center can also delay a launch attempt within the planned window.

That’s why invitations often say “time to be determined” until the final launch date and hour are actually announced by NASA.

Possible Launch Dates & Times (Launch Windows)

NASA has identified multiple potential launch dates for Artemis II across different windows in early 2026. Each daily window lasts about 120 minutes (2 hours) starting at the times below (all in Eastern Time, ET): 

February 2026 (Primary Window)

Feb. 6 — Opens at 9:41 PM ET (approx.)

Feb. 7 — Opens at 10:46 PM ET

Feb. 8 — Opens at 11:20 PM ET

Feb. 10 — Opens at 12:06 AM ET

Feb. 11 — Opens at 1:05 AM ET

Each opening time above begins a roughly 2-hour launch window when liftoff could occur. 

Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen will make history as the first Canadian to fly around the Moon – a defining moment for our nation and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to inspire Canadians of all ages.

That is why the CSA invites you to join thousands of Canadians across the country and gather to watch the launch of this historic mission.

Event type: Fundraising Dinner & Murder Mystery

$50.00 Admission - Advanced tickets only 

Doors Open: 6PM | Show Starts: 6:30PM EDT | All Ages / Licensed

At the English country estate, Conifers, Sir Hugo Smythe Armbruster's 70th party took place last night. Sir Hugo had been knighted after The Great War for his contributions to the war effort. His brilliant sense of both history and propriety established him as an able publisher whose newspaper, The Daily Truth, kept the citizenry informed of what was happening at the front.

The assembled guests celebrated the event with enough food and drink to choke the proverbial horse. But, it seems, the horse may have fought back. This morning, Sir Hugo was found dead in the stables. Although the death was at first viewed to be accidental, Scotland Yard took little time in declaring that, indeed, evidence pointed toward murder.