NASA has transported its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida for the upcoming Artemis II crewed lunar mission. The integrated SLS and Orion journeyed about 4 miles from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to the launch pad, taking 11 hours to complete the trip.
Preparations are underway for the final prelaunch activities as NASA gears up for the Artemis II mission, with a launch window set to open on April 1 and extend through April 6. Following a wet dress rehearsal on February 21, an issue with helium flow to the rocket’s upper stage was identified, leading to necessary repairs at the VAB.
During the repairs, engineers conducted various system checks on the rocket, such as activating new flight termination system batteries, replacing batteries on different components, and ensuring the functionality of Orion’s launch abort system batteries. Additionally, maintenance tasks included replacing a seal on the core stage liquid oxygen feed line and testing the oxygen tail service mast umbilical plate for a secure seal.
The Artemis II mission is scheduled to send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back. Subsequent missions like Artemis III are expected to involve rendezvous and docking with commercial lunar landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin, in-space vehicle tests, and system checkouts. The crew for Artemis II comprises NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
