April 20, 2024

One Step Closer: Orion Spacecraft Stacked on Top SLS Rocket for NASA’s Artemis I Mission

Teams with Exploration Ground Systems effectively raised the Orion Spacecraft for the Artemis I objective inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASAs Kennedy Space Center on October 20, 2021. Last stacking operations for NASAs mega-Moon rocket underway inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASAs Kennedy Space Center as the Orion spacecraft is raised onto the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the Artemis I objective. NASA groups across the nation are preparing for the Artemis I introduce to the Moon. When NASAs magnificent Space Launch System rocket releases to the Moon from the agencys Kennedy Space Center in Florida, its four RS-25 engines and 2 strong rocket boosters will produce more than 8.8 million pounds of thrust.

By NASA
October 22, 2021

Credit: Frank Michaux
Teams with Exploration Ground Systems effectively raised the Orion Spacecraft for the Artemis I objective inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASAs Kennedy Space Center on October 20, 2021. Groups attached the spacecraft to among the 5 overhead cranes inside the building and started raising it a little after midnight EDT. Next, teams gradually reduced it onto the completely stacked SLS rocket.
Final stacking operations for NASAs mega-Moon rocket underway inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASAs Kennedy Space Center as the Orion spacecraft is lifted onto the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the Artemis I mission. Engineers and technicians with Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) and Jacobs attached the spacecraft to among the five overhead cranes inside the structure and began lifting it a little after midnight EDT on October 20, 2021. Credit: Chad Siwik
Work continued to fully secure Orion to the Orion Stage Adapter of the Space Launch System rocket after groups at first put the spacecraft on top of the rocket earlier in the day. This operation needed the EGS team to align the spacecraft completely with the adapter prior to carefully connecting the 2 together and took a number of hours to ensure Orion was firmly in location.
Artemis I Space Launch System rocket with Orion capsule stacked on top. Credit: NASA
When stacking for the Artemis I mission is total, NASA will offer an update.

NASA groups throughout the nation are preparing for the Artemis I introduce to the Moon. When NASAs mighty Space Launch System rocket launches to the Moon from the firms Kennedy Space Center in Florida, its four RS-25 engines and two strong rocket boosters will produce more than 8.8 million pounds of thrust. The rockets flight software and avionics systems act as the brains behind that muscle to guide and guide the rocket beyond Earths orbit. Enjoy to discover more about the SLS rockets flight software application and avionics systems. Credit: NASA
NASAs Space Launch System will be the most effective rocket theyve ever constructed. When completed, SLS will allow astronauts to start their journey to check out locations far into the solar system.