Thursday is St. Patrick’s Day, of course. But it’s also a big day for space exploration 鈥� and what could be the first step toward returning humans to the moon.
No matter where you are at 5 p.m. Thursday, make sure you to watch the live rollout of NASA鈥檚 Artemis I Mission Moon Rocket.
Not since the days of has the world seen such a large rocket destined to go to the moon being moved at Kennedy Space Center.
is NASA鈥檚 plan to return humans to the moon 鈥� and stay this time.
In preparation for the eventual launch of Artemis I, NASA is rolling out its first (SLS) rocket carrying an from the cavernous (VAB). That’s where the core stage, two solid rocket boosters (SRBs), a second stage rocket, Orion, and the Orion鈥檚 (LAS) were assembled into a 322-foot stack.
This has been a months-long task carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic. It required a detailed step-by-step process followed by inspections and tests. During previous media teleconferences, NASA officials have emphasized that, since this is the first time an SLS-Orion stack has been assembled, it has been a very slow and deliberate evolution.
Artemis I will test the SLS, Orion and Kennedy Space Center hardware, NASA鈥檚 supporting facilities and the large human element dedicated to the effort.
The Artemis I SLS and Orion will also be outfitted with an extensive suite of sensors to compile data on the performance and flight of the hardware. Orion will also carry 鈥�,” a suited manikin outfitted with sensors to provide data on what crew members may experience in flight.
The 21.5 million-pound Artemis I stack will roll out from the VAB attached to its mobile launcher and carried by the venerable (and refurbished) crawler-transporter 2. NASA expects it to take somewhere between six and 12 hours to cover the 4.2 miles between the VAB and Launch Complex 39B at a whopping top speed of 0.83 mph. The roadway used for such a large load, which will eventually become even larger at 25.5 million pounds, is quite unusual, as it is made of .
As stated by NASA, 鈥渁pproximately two weeks after arrival at 39B, our launch teams will conduct a 鈥�,” a final prelaunch test that includes loading the large, central core stage of the rocket with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen 鈥� that鈥檚 the 鈥渨et鈥� part 鈥� and a mock countdown to launch.鈥�
In December 2014 NASA . But Artemis I will be another uncrewed test flight involving a myriad of engines and motors
NASA invites the public to . You can also , but you have to do so soon, as Artemis I is currently scheduled for launch no earlier than May 2022.
Check back this Sunday for my 鈥淪pring Has Sprung Special鈥� that will highlight star parties and astronomy events coming up.
Follow my Twitter聽听补苍诲听聽to keep up with the latest news in astronomy and space exploration. You can email me at聽skyguyinva@gmail.com.
