NASA to move SLS and Orion to launch pad for Artemis II integration

NASA plans to transport its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center to begin final integration, testing and launch rehearsals for the Artemis II crewed test flight. The agency has a target to begin the transfer on Saturday, Jan.

17; the crawler transporter will carry the stack nearly 6.5 kilometres (four miles) and the trip could take up to 12 hours. Technical teams are working day and night to complete tasks before the move, though the target date could change if more time is needed for preparations or because of weather.

Lori Glaze, interim associate administrator for NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, said safety of the crew remains the agency’s top priority as it approaches Artemis II. Engineers have been addressing recent issues found during final checks: a cable related to the flight termination system was found bent out of specification and is being replaced and tested, and a valve tied to Orion’s hatch pressurization required replacement on Jan.

5 after earlier problems led to a demonstration countdown on Dec. 20. Teams also worked to fix leaks in ground support hardware needed to load gaseous oxygen for breathable air.

Key Topics

Science, Nasa, Artemis Ii, Sls Rocket, Orion Spacecraft, Kennedy Space Center