April 20, 2024

NASA’s Artemis I Moon Rocket Arrives at Launch Pad Ahead of Historic Mission

NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop a mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B, Wednesday, August 17, 2022, after being rolled out to the launch pad at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Launch of the uncrewed flight test is targeted for no earlier than August 29.
Around 7:30 a.m. EDT (4:30 a.m. PDT) the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft for the Artemis I objective got here atop Launch Complex 39B at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida after an almost 10-hour journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building..
In the coming days, engineers and service technicians will set up systems at the pad for launch, which is currently targeted for no earlier than August 29 at 8:33 a.m. EDT (5:33 a.m. PDT) with a two-hour launch window. Groups have worked to fine-tune operations and procedures and have incorporated lessons gained from the wet gown wedding rehearsal test project and have updated the launch timeline accordingly.
NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, with the Orion pill atop, gradually makes its way along the crawlerway at the agencys Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, August 16, 2022/Wednesday, August 17, 2022. Carried atop the crawler-transporter 2, NASAs Moon rocket is venturing the 4.2 miles from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39B ahead of the first flight test of the completely stacked and incorporated SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft, set up to liftoff on Monday, August 29. Credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky.
The very first in a series of significantly complex objectives, Artemis I will supply a foundation for human deep area exploration and show our commitment and ability to extend human existence to the Moon and beyond. The primary objective of Artemis I is to completely check the incorporated systems before crewed missions by releasing Orion atop the SLS rocket, operating the spacecraft in a deep space environment, testing Orions heat guard, and recuperating the team module after splashdown, reentry, and descent. In later missions, NASA will land the first lady and the very first person of color on the surface area of the Moon, paving the method for a long-term lunar presence and working as a stepping stone en route to Mars.