NASA’s Artemis 1 Rocket Arrives at Launchpad for Critical Test

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion Spacecraft atop it has just arrived on the launchpad at Kennedy Space Center in preparation for a final test before launch this May.

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, with the Orion capsule atop, traveling down the crawlerway at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

“It’s back to the Moon and then on to Mars! Today, a new generation — not the Apollo generation, but it’s the Artemis generation — is preparing to reach new frontiers. NASA’s Artemis program will pave the way for humanity’s giant leap — future missions to Mars. There’s no doubt that we are in a golden era of human space exploration, discovery, and ingenuity in space. And it all begins with Artemis 1.” — NASA Administrator Bill Nelson

The Artemis 1 rocket will undergo a “wet dress rehearsal” as its final test before launch. This dress rehearsal will run through all the operations necessary for launch. This includes operations to load propellants into the rocket’s tanks, conducting a full launch countdown, demonstrating the ability to recycle the countdown clock, and draining the tanks. This will allow the team to practice the timelines and procedures they will use for launch.

Once this vital test is complete, the spacecraft will be rolled off the launchpad. It will be rolled on the launchpad again approximately one week before its expected launch date.