NASA is poised to reveal a significant milestone in its ambitious Artemis program with the rollout of the core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
This event, scheduled for mid-July, will take place at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, where the towering 212-foot core stage has been assembled.
Following the rollout, the core stage will be meticulously loaded onto NASA’s Pegasus barge for transport to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This event is critical in the lead-up to the Artemis II mission, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually establish a sustainable lunar presence.
NASA's Event Details and Media Participation
The upcoming rollout event is an excellent opportunity for media representatives to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Artemis II mission preparations. Attendees will have the chance to capture high-quality images and video footage of the impressive core stage as it is transferred onto the Pegasus barge.
The event will also feature insightful remarks from NASA and industry leaders, who will discuss the mission's importance and the advanced technology employed. Moreover, subject matter experts from NASA and its Artemis industry partners will be available for interviews, offering in-depth information and answering questions.
These interactions will provide journalists with a wealth of material for detailed reporting. Additional information regarding the specific timing of the event and interview opportunities will be provided closer to the date. The event is open to both U.S. and international media, with application deadlines set for June 14 for international media and July 3 for U.S. media. Interested media must adhere to NASA’s media credentialing policy, available online.
NASA also shared the announcement on social media, highlighting the significance of the event:
Exciting news! @NASA will roll the fully assembled core stage for the #Artemis II @NASA_SLS rocket out of #NASAMichoud in mid-July. The 212-foot-tall stage will be loaded on the agency’s Pegasus barge for delivery to @NASAKennedy.
LEARN MORE >> https://t.co/JbNrUlJbGf
— NASA Marshall (@NASA_Marshall) June 7, 2024
Significance of the Artemis II Mission and SLS Rocket
The Artemis II mission marks a crucial step in NASA’s endeavor to explore deep space and establish a long-term human presence on the Moon. The SLS rocket's core stage, a technological marvel equipped with four RS-25 engines, will generate over 2 million pounds of thrust.
This immense power is essential for launching 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 will complete the final outfitting of the core stage. This complex process involves integrating various components and systems essential for the rocket's performance during launch. Following this, the stage will undergo final preparations for stacking and integration with other launch system elements.
Scheduled for a September 2025 launch, Artemis II will be the first crewed mission under NASA’s Artemis program. It will orbit the Moon, testing spacecraft systems and paving the way for future lunar landings and deep space exploration.
Collaborative Efforts in Deep Space Exploration
The successful development, assembly, and transportation of the core stage underscore the collaborative nature of this ambitious project. NASA has teamed up with Boeing, the lead contractor for the core stage, and Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3 Harris Technologies company responsible for the RS-25 engines. This partnership exemplifies the multidisciplinary approach required to achieve the mission's objectives.
The 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 collaboration in space exploration. The SLS rocket, with its unmatched power and capabilities, is central to this vision.
Designed to carry the Orion spacecraft, astronauts, and essential supplies to the Moon in a single launch, the SLS is vital for the success of future missions. These missions include establishing a sustainable lunar outpost and preparing for the eventual human exploration of Mars.