In an exhilarating move that marks a significant step forward in space exploration, NASA's colossal new moon rocket has finally reached its launch pad, setting the stage for the first lunar fly-by involving astronauts in over fifty years. This monumental journey is tentatively slated to launch in February.
The towering rocket, which stands at an impressive 98 meters (322 feet), commenced its slow journey from the Kennedy Space Center's vehicle assembly building at a leisurely pace of just 1 mph (1.6 km/h) as dawn broke. The total distance of 4 miles was covered by nightfall, making it a day filled with anticipation and excitement.
To witness this historic event, which had faced numerous delays over the years, thousands of space center employees and their families gathered in the cool morning air. They came together, eagerly awaiting the moment when the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket would exit the building originally designed in the 1960s for the Saturn V rockets that carried 24 astronauts to the moon during the illustrious Apollo program. Leading the cheering throng were NASA's newly appointed administrator, Jared Isaacman, along with all four astronauts who are set to embark on this mission.
As the massive rocket moved into position, crew commander Reid Wiseman expressed his excitement, saying, "What a great day to be here. It is awe-inspiring."
The combined weight of the rocket and the Orion crew capsule perched atop it is a staggering 5 million kilograms. During this rollout, they were transported by a giant vehicle that had previously served during both the Apollo and shuttle missions, albeit with enhancements made to accommodate the SLS rocket's increased weight.
The SLS's inaugural flight took place back in November 2022, when an uncrewed Orion capsule was launched into orbit around the moon. John Honeycutt of NASA remarked just before the rocket's rollout, "This one feels a lot different, putting crew on the rocket and taking the crew around the moon."
Challenges such as heat shield damage and other issues with the capsule during the initial test flight necessitated thorough assessments and additional testing, delaying this much-anticipated crewed moon mission until now. It's important to note that the upcoming journey won't involve orbiting or landing on the moon; that monumental milestone is reserved for the third Artemis flight, which will occur several years later.
The ten-day mission will see Wiseman, along with experienced NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch, joined by Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, a former fighter pilot who is excited for his first trip into space.
These astronauts will be the first humans to travel to the moon since Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt of Apollo 17 wrapped up the historic lunar landing program in 1972. To date, twelve astronauts have walked on the moon, starting with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in 1969. Currently, only four of those moonwalkers remain alive, with Aldrin, who will turn 96 on Tuesday, being the eldest.
Wiseman shared the enthusiasm of the veteran astronauts, stating, "They are so fired up that we are headed back to the moon. They just want to see humans as far away from Earth as possible discovering the unknown."
Looking ahead, NASA is poised to conduct a crucial fueling test of the SLS rocket at the pad in early February, after which they will confirm a specific launch date. However, the agency has a tight window, with only five days available to launch in the first half of February before it transitions into March.
