NASA is set to unveil a major milestone in its ambitious Artemis program with the launch of the Space Launch System (SLS) core stage.
The event, scheduled for mid-July, will take place at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, where the 212-foot-tall base stage was assembled.
After deployment, the core stage will be carefully loaded onto NASA’s Pegasus shuttle for transport to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This event is critical to the preparation of the Artemis II mission, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually establish a sustainable presence on the Moon.
NASA event details and media participation
The upcoming launch event is an excellent opportunity for media representatives to gain a comprehensive understanding Artemis II mission preparations. Attendees will have the opportunity to capture high-quality images and video footage of the impressive main stage as it is carried onto the Pegasus boat.
The event will also include insightful comments from NASA and industry leaders who will discuss the importance of the mission and the advanced technology used. In addition, experts from NASA and its Artemis industry partners will be available for interviews to offer in-depth information and answer questions.
These interactions will provide journalists with a wealth of material for in-depth coverage. More information regarding the specific timing of the event and interview opportunities will be provided closer to the date. The event is open to both US and international media, with submission deadlines set for June 14th for international media and July 3rd for US media. Interested media must follow NASA’s Media Accreditation Policy, which is available online.
NASA also shared the announcement on social media, highlighting the significance of the event:
Exciting news! @NASA will roll a fully assembled base stage for #Artemis II @NASA_SLS rocket from #NASMichoud in mid-July. The 212-foot stage will be loaded onto a Pegasus barge for delivery @NASAKennedy.
LEARN MORE >> https://t.co/JbNrUlJbGf
— NASA Marshall (@NASA_Marshall) June 7, 2024
The significance of the Artemis II mission and the SLS rocket
The Mission Artemis II represents a major step in NASA’s efforts to explore deep space and ensure a long-term human presence on the Moon. The SLS rocket’s base stage, a technological marvel equipped with four RS-25 engines, will generate over 2 million pounds of thrust.
This enormous force is necessary to launch the Orion spacecraft and its crew of astronauts towards the Moon. Upon arrival at the Kennedy Space Center, teams from NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program completes the final equipment of the base phase. This complex process involves the integration of various components and systems necessary for the rocket’s performance during launch. The stage will then undergo final preparations for stacking and integration with other elements of the launch system.
The Artemis II launch, scheduled for September 2025, will be the first crewed mission under NASA’s Artemis program. It will orbit the moon, test spacecraft systems and pave the way for future lunar landings and deep space exploration.
A joint effort in deep space exploration
The successful development, assembly and transport of the foundation phase underlines the cooperative nature of this ambitious project. NASA merged with Boeingmain contractor for main phase a Aerojet Rocketdyne, the L3 Harris Technologies company responsible for the RS-25 engines. This partnership exemplifies the multidisciplinary approach required to achieve mission objectives.
Artemis campaign aims to land the first woman, the first person of color and the first international partner astronaut on the moon. These goals reflect NASA’s commitment to diversity and international cooperation in space exploration. The SLS rocketwith its unmatched power and abilities, is central to this vision.
Designed to deliver the Orion spacecraft, astronauts and essential supplies to the Moon in a single launch, SLS is vital to the success of future missions. These missions include establishing a sustainable lunar base and preparing for eventual human exploration of Mars.