On March 23, 2025, technicians at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center joined key components of the rocket set for launching an upcoming mission.
Artemis 2
mission involving the first humans to
the moon
over more than half a century.
Why is this amazing?
The main stage, coated with yellow-orange foam insulation, constitutes the biggest part of the structure.
Launch System
The SLS rocket stands at an impressive height of 212 feet (65 meters). Besides housing the fuel for its four aft-mounted engines, this central structure acts as the spine of the rocket, providing support for various components including the launch vehicle stage adapter, interim cryogenic propulsion stage, Orion stage adapter, and the spacecraft itself.
Orion craft
For the Artemis 2 mission.
Flanking the main stage on both sides are the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters that have been mounted onto the same mobile launch platform previously. Towering at 177 feet (54 meters) each, these two boosters will supply most of the force required to send the four Artemis 2 crew members on their lunar mission.
Where is this?
From where the photograph was taken, you can see upwards into High Bay 2 of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Previously the largest structure globally by volume, the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) was formerly utilized for assembling the Apollo era spacecraft.
Saturn V rocket
and the
shuttles
that was in flight for three decades.
What happens next?
In the upcoming weeks, the launch vehicle stage adapter will be the subsequent component of the SLS that gets hoisted and firmly positioned above the core stage.
In the meantime, the Orion spacecraft along with its European Service Module has been assembled and prepared for launch. They are now awaiting transportation from the Neil A. Armstrong Operations andCheckoutBuildingtotheVehicleAssemblyBuildingatKennedySpaceCenter.
After being completely put together, the Orion atop the SLS will be moved to Launch Complex 39B for tests. The Artemis 2 mission is scheduled for launch no sooner than April 2026.
Where can I find additional information?
You can learn more and view additional content from the
assembly of the Artemis 2 central stage
and booster doses, along with learning
additional information on NASA’s Artemis 2 mission.
You can likewise stay updated with the newest information
regarding the Artemis 2 mission information
.
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