April 26, 2024

NASA’s Space Launch System Rocket Ready for Moon Launch on Artemis I [Video]

This artist making reveals a birds-eye view of the liftoff of NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. This Block 1 team setup of the rocket that will send the first three Artemis objectives to the Moon. Credit: NASA/MSFC
In this video, managers and engineers from NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama share their ideas about the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for Artemis I. Van L. Strickland, SLS program operations supervisor; John Blevins, SLS chief engineer; and Sharon Cobb, SLS associate program manager, applaud a varied workforce for its effort and devotion to prepare the backbone of NASAs return to the Moon. SLS will introduce the Orion spacecraft on its half-a-million-mile objective beyond the Moon and back to Earth. Artemis I is set up to introduce no earlier than Monday, August 29, 2022, at 8:33 a.m. EDT (5:33 a.m. PDT) from Kennedy Space Centers Launch Complex 39B in Florida.

Video Transcript:

This artist rendering reveals an aerial view of the liftoff of NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. In this video, supervisors and engineers from NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama share their ideas about the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for Artemis I. Van L. Strickland, SLS program operations manager; John Blevins, SLS chief engineer; and Sharon Cobb, SLS associate program supervisor, commend a diverse labor force for its effort and commitment to prepare the backbone of NASAs return to the Moon. SLS will introduce the Orion spacecraft on its half-a-million-mile objective beyond the Moon and back to Earth. Artemis I is arranged to introduce no earlier than Monday, August 29, 2022, at 8:33 a.m. EDT (5:33 a.m. PDT) from Kennedy Space Centers Launch Complex 39B in Florida.

The Space Launch System is actually the foundation of the Artemis objectives.

The Space Launch System is truly the backbone of the Artemis missions. Its the truck. Its the huge carry lorry.
It permits us to carry both crew, along with the equipment that we require to work and live on the Moon.
Sixty years ago, NASA remained in a race to get to the Moon. This time is more than simply a race. Its about establishing a long-term existence on the Moon.
Can you imagine rolling the Statue of Liberty out to put at the pad? Thats what were doing.
It will raise from Earth with more power than the Saturn V, which was the first vehicle to take us to the Moon.
Artemis is our next giant leap.
The difference between the Apollo program and the Artemis program is really the concentrate on sustainability, and using the Moon as a station for more expedition.
This time were going back to learn how to live and work on the Moon.
The Space Launch System actually is a conclusion of our understanding for 60 years of structure rockets.
We started by looking at over 1,700 various prospective elements that would enter into the rocket, and by looking at the method we might reuse a few of the most reputable equipment that was flown on the shuttle.
We took those and we put them together into a system that had enough energy to make good sense to do the mission that weve been asked to do to.
Were moving from low-Earth orbit, as you see in the International Space Station today, to moving beyond that to taking the next action in expedition.
Its 322 feet high. Its got 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant in the core stage alone. It can produce 8.8 million pounds of vacuum thrust.
The Space Launch System is truly a nationwide rocket, a nationwide asset, too.
We have worked with specialists in addition to with our NASA experts, our science and engineering department, and our safety and mission guarantee group.
To get the Space Launch System developed, established, and produced, it has actually taken countless companies throughout the nation.
It comes together by train. It comes together by plane. It comes together by barges.
So, all of that culminates at the Kennedy Space Center for the launch of the first Artemis objective.
Everyone has interacted to make sure we have a safe and trusted rocket.
At NASA, safety and screening is incredibly essential because eventually this rocket isnt indicated simply to bring freight, its implied to bring individuals.
It takes all kinds of education, all kinds of backgrounds, all types of variety to do the things we do, and itll be great to see a varied team arrive at the moon.
Where the Space Launch System is available in is supplying that trustworthy transport, so that we can start flying these rockets on a routine basis. To take individuals and to take payload to that outpost, the Moon, and also the Gateway system.
We have a generation who have actually never ever seen deep space expedition, and this will give them an opportunity to see that this is something that they can potentially do themselves.
Its going to be a paradigm shift for NASA. Were going to be back to taking a look at things that no ones ever done before.