Produced by: Tarun Mishra
The Boeing-built core stage of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is en route to Kennedy Space Center (KSC) after being loaded onto NASA's Pegasus barge from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.
The core stage, including four RS-25 engines from Aerojet Rocketdyne, will be transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at KSC. The core stage stands 212 feet tall and will be combined with other SLS rocket components.
At the VAB, the core stage will be integrated with two solid rocket boosters from Northrop Grumman, collectively producing 8.8 million pounds of thrust during liftoff.
Artemis II is targeting a launch from KSC's Launch Pad 39-B no earlier than September 2025. The mission will take NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a trip around the moon aboard the Orion spacecraft.
Credit: NASA
This mission marks the first human lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. The Artemis program aims to inspire a new generation and advance scientific endeavours, including establishing a long-term presence on the moon.
Credit: NASA
The SLS rocket, which had its lone flight in November 2022, is currently the most powerful rocket to reach orbit. Despite competition from SpaceX's Starship and Super Heavy, NASA emphasizes SLS's unique capability to send both crew and cargo on lunar missions.
The uncrewed Orion spacecraft successfully returned to Earth after the Artemis I mission, though issues with its heat shield remain a key focus before carrying humans.
Artemis III, scheduled for no earlier than September 2026, will involve sending Orion to the moon to rendezvous with SpaceX's lunar lander Starship. Two astronauts, including the first woman on the moon, will land on the lunar surface.
The Artemis program, initially launched in 2012, has faced delays and increased costs, with the first three missions costing over $93 billion. Efforts are underway to reduce costs for future launches. The long-term goal is to land a human on Mars by 2040, continuing NASA's exploration ambitions.