Artemis II: NASA’s Moon Mission Prepares for Launch
NASA’s Artemis II mission, set to launch in mid-2026, is steadily progressing. This ambitious endeavor will send the Orion spacecraft, propelled by the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, on a journey around the moon with a human crew. The Orion is expected to approach within 80 miles of the lunar surface before returning to Earth. This mission marks a significant step toward future lunar exploration and eventual human missions to Mars.
SLS Rocket Core Stage Upright
Recently, NASA released a time-lapse video showcasing the movement of the SLS rocket’s 212-foot-tall core stage to a vertical position at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This crucial step allows technicians 360-degree access to the core stage for final preparations and inspections. The core stage, a pivotal component of the SLS rocket, acts as the main booster, propelling the rocket and its payload into space. It’s responsible for carrying the weight of the payload and upper stages, while also housing the avionics systems controlling flight operations.
Power of the SLS Rocket
The SLS rocket boasts impressive power. The core stage alone generates approximately 1.6 million pounds of thrust at launch, supplemented by the two side boosters contributing another 3.6 million pounds of thrust. This results in a total of about 8.8 million pounds of thrust, establishing the SLS as one of the world’s most powerful rockets currently in operation. While powerful, it’s less powerful than SpaceX’s Starship, which generates a massive 17 million pounds of thrust.
Artemis Program and Future Missions
The SLS rocket is integral to NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon and establish a sustained lunar presence. Artemis II serves as a crucial crewed test flight, paving the way for Artemis III. Artemis III’s primary objective is to land the first woman and the next man on the moon. The mission has been delayed until no earlier than 2027 after an original target of 2026. Artemis III will involve a crew transferring to a SpaceX Starship spacecraft for the lunar surface landing—the first time since 1972 that NASA astronauts will walk on the moon.
Artemis II: A Giant Leap Forward
The Artemis II mission represents a pivotal moment in space exploration, demonstrating NASA’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of human spaceflight. The successful completion of Artemis II is vital to the success of the overall Artemis program and to the future of lunar exploration. By testing the Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket under crewed conditions, NASA will gain invaluable data and experience to inform future deep space missions. The advancements made through the Artemis program will bring humanity closer to achieving its longstanding dreams of establishing a permanent human presence on the moon, and further reaching goals such as landing humans on Mars.
