In this view searching for in High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, all of the work platforms that surround the Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft are totally retracted on March 16, 2022. The Artemis I stack atop the mobile launcher will present to Launch Complex 39B atop the crawler-transporter 2 for a wet gown wedding rehearsal ahead of launch. Credits: NASA/Glenn Benson
NASAs brand-new Moon rocket stands poised inside Kennedy Space Centers renowned Vehicle Assembly Building ahead of its very first journey to the launch pad. Consisted of NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, and resting on its mobile launcher, the Artemis I Moon-bound rocket is ready to roll March 17 to Launch Complex 39B for its wet dress wedding rehearsal test targeted to begin on April 1.
The gown practice session will demonstrate the teams capability to load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic, or super-cold, propellants into the rocket at the launch pad, practice every stage of the launch countdown, and drain propellants to show securely standing down on a launch attempt. The test will be the culmination of months of assembly and screening for SLS and Orion, along with preparations by launch control and engineering teams, and set the phase for the first Artemis launch.
With the Artemis objectives, NASA will land the first woman and the very first individual of color on the Moon and develop long-term expedition in preparation for objectives to Mars. SLS and Orion, along with the business human landing system and the Gateway that will orbit the Moon, are NASAs foundation for deep area expedition.
By NASA
March 16, 2022
Live coverage for rollout starts at 5 p.m. EDT and will include live remarks from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and other guests. Coverage will air on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agencys site.