NASA’s preparations for the Artemis II mission continue to gain momentum with a major milestone reached by the crawler-transporter 2, the massive vehicle responsible for transporting launch equipment at Kennedy Space Center. This achievement coincides with the return of the mobile launcher to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where it will undergo final preparations ahead of Artemis II, the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon since the Apollo program. The mission will send four astronauts on a journey around the Moon, laying the groundwork for future lunar landings and deeper space exploration.
Historic Achievement for NASA’s Crawler-transporter
NASA’s crawler-transporter 2 achieved a significant milestone during its latest operation, reaching over 2,500 miles traveled since its construction in 1965. Weighing approximately 6.65 million pounds and larger than a baseball infield, the crawler is certified by Guinness World Records as the heaviest self-powered vehicle in the world. It has played a pivotal role in NASA’s space programs for nearly six decades, transporting the Saturn V rockets during the Apollo era and later supporting the Space Shuttle program.
This latest milestone was reached during the move of the mobile launcher from Launch Complex 39B to the VAB, a 4.2-mile journey that took several hours. The mobile launcher had been undergoing extensive testing and upgrades at the launch pad since August 2023 in preparation for the Artemis II mission. These upgrades included tests of the liquid hydrogen sphere, water flow systems, and emergency egress procedures, which are critical to ensuring the safety and efficiency of the upcoming lunar mission.
Artemis II Mission Preparation: What’s Next
The return of the mobile launcher to the VAB marks a significant step in NASA’s timeline for the Artemis II mission. The launcher will now be integrated with the Space Launch System (SLS), NASA’s most powerful rocket, and the Orion spacecraft, which will carry the Artemis II crew. This final assembly process will take place within the VAB, a building that has long been central to NASA’s human spaceflight operations.
Standing at 380 feet tall, the mobile launcher features complex systems, including power, communication, fueling, and cooling lines, all designed to support the SLS and Orion during launch. Once the integration process is complete, the mobile launcher will embark on its final journey to the launch pad for a tanking test, a key pre-launch milestone where the rocket is filled with propellant and all systems are evaluated.
The Artemis II mission, scheduled for 2024, will be NASA’s first crewed flight under the Artemis program. The crew, consisting of NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, will embark on a 10-day journey around the Moon, testing the spacecraft’s systems and preparing for future lunar landing missions.
The Role of Artemis II in NASA’s Broader Vision
The Artemis II mission is more than just a return to the Moon; it represents a critical step in NASA’s vision for sustainable lunar exploration and beyond. The mission is part of the broader Artemis program, which aims to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon and develop the technologies necessary for future manned missions to Mars.
The success of Artemis II will be a pivotal moment in this vision. By sending astronauts into lunar orbit, NASA will gather vital data on the performance of the Orion spacecraft, ensuring its systems are fully operational before landing humans on the lunar surface with Artemis III. These missions will also test the infrastructure and procedures needed for longer-duration missions, ultimately serving as a proving ground for human exploration of deep space.
NASA’s focus is not only on exploring the lunar surface but also on creating the systems that will allow for sustainable exploration. The Lunar Gateway, a space station set to orbit the Moon, will serve as a hub for astronauts, enabling extended stays on the lunar surface and supporting future Mars missions.
A Historic Moment for Space Exploration
As NASA moves forward with Artemis II, the achievements made by the crawler-transporter and the mobile launcher underscore the significance of these missions in advancing human space exploration. The Artemis program marks the next era of human exploration, with NASA and its international partners working together to expand the boundaries of human presence in space.
The progress made in 2024 brings humanity closer to returning to the Moon, and eventually, reaching Mars. By continuing to develop and refine the technologies required for space travel, NASA is laying the foundation for future generations to explore and live beyond Earth, marking a new chapter in the quest to unlock the mysteries of the universe.