After a hiatus of 52 years, human exploration of the moon is set to resume with NASA’s Artemis II mission. Scheduled for launch no earlier than Feb. 6, the mission will see four astronauts, including Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen and NASA’s Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Victor Glover, orbiting the moon.
Before the astronauts embark on this historic journey, the rocket and spacecraft must undergo meticulous checks. The colossal 100-meter tall Space Launch System (SLS) is set for rollout on Saturday, a crucial step in the mission’s preparation.
The SLS and the Orion spacecraft, previously launched for the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022, are now primed for their human passengers. While Artemis II astronauts won’t touch down on the lunar surface, they will engage in lunar surveillance, experiments, and spacecraft testing in readiness for Artemis III, where moonwalks are planned for no earlier than 2028.
The rollout of the rocket is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET on Saturday, with an estimated eight to 12 hours for the five million-kilogram rocket to reach the launch pad. As preparations progress, the crew access arm will be retracted, and connections will be established over the following day.
Subsequently, the wet dress rehearsal will simulate launch day conditions, ensuring all systems are functioning correctly. This critical step must be flawlessly executed before the mission gets the final go-ahead for launch.
Reflecting on past experiences, officials emphasized the importance of thorough preparations, citing the lessons learned from previous test flights like Artemis I.
