NASA to roll out Artemis-1 moon rocket to launch pad for critical test
The Space Launch System Artemis-1 rocket inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (Images: NASA)
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Preparations are underway in Florida as NASA plans to roll out the Space Launch System, its 322-foot-tall moon rocket, to the launchpad for the first time this week.
The rocket known as the Artemis-1 is headed to Kennedy Space Center launchpad 39B for the first time, but it won't be leaving Earth, at least not yet. The roll to the pad is for a wet dress rehearsal when launch managers conduct all steps in the countdown except the liftoff. It's a critical end-to-end test for all teams that support the rocket, from running the launch countdown, fueling the rocket and testing ground systems.
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On Monday, teams in the Vehicle Assembly Building continued to roll back the platforms surrounding the rocket body. Only two platforms are left supporting the Artemis-1 mission vehicle and Orion spacecraft.
The crawler-transporter 2 arrived outside the VAB over the weekend in preparation for the journey. The crawler will move the mobile launcher and Artemis-1 to launchpad 39B, taking about 11 hours to complete the 4-mile move at speeds between 1 and 2.8 mph.
During a late February update, KSC Exploration Ground Systems program manager Mike Bolger said certain weather conditions could prevent the rollout, including potential lightning or high winds.
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"We wouldn't start a roll with any kind of lightning in the forecast. I think if we have a forecast of 10 percent or higher of lightning, we wouldn't start a roll," Bolger said.
Bolger estimated winds also need to be under 40 knots to begin moving the rocket.
NASA managers said they are targeting the rollout to start around 6 p.m. Thursday. Live views of the move will be available on KSC's YouTube channel beginning at 4 p.m.
Teams at KSC had been preparing to roll the rocket out of the VAB sometime in February to conduct a wet dress rehearsal. However, that shifted to mid-March due to an issue discovered with one of the rocket engine controllers.
If this test goes well, NASA managers are expected to announce a launch date for the Artemis-1 mission. That test mission will send the rocket and Orion without astronauts on board on a journey to orbit the moon, ending with an Orion splashdown.
As of the last update, NASA is eyeing launch dates between June 6 and 16.