NASA’s Artemis II Moon rocket is now at the launch pad, setting the stage for final prelaunch tests. The mission will send astronauts around the Moon and help pave the way for future lunar and Mars exploration.
At 6:42 p.m. EST on Saturday, January 17, NASA’s Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft completed their move to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) lasted nearly 12 hours from start to finish.
A Carefully Timed Rollout Across Kennedy Space Center
The journey began earlier in the day when NASA’s crawler-transporter 2 set out on a 4-mile route carrying the fully assembled SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft. With a top speed of just 0.82 mph, the massive crawler steadily transported the Moon rocket toward the launch pad.
After clearing the VAB’s high-bay doors, the rollout paused as planned so teams could reposition the crew access arm – a bridge that provides astronauts and a closeout crew access to Orion on launch day.
Preparing for the Wet Dress Rehearsal
In the days ahead, engineers and technicians will begin preparing Artemis II for its wet dress rehearsal, a full-scale test of launch countdown and fueling procedures. Currently targeted for no later than Feb. 2, the test will involve loading the rocket with cryogenic, or super-cold, propellants and running through the entire countdown sequence.
Teams will also practice safely draining the propellants from the rocket, a critical step that must be mastered before NASA’s first crewed Artemis mission can proceed.
