In iconic images: the giant SLS rocket set up for the Moon, 50 years after the Apollo missions

Yesterday, Thursday, March 17, 2022, at the end of the afternoon — around 6 p.m. local time — the Space Launch System (SLS) of Nasa — the mighty launcher whose mission will be to bring back astronauts on the moon — has finally left the hall of the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral (Florida, USA) in which it was assembled. Head to launch pad 39B, a little over six kilometers away.

Six kilometers to the launch pad

Six kilometers is not much. But for a 98.3 meter high SLS launcher, harnessed in a vertical position on its “crawler”this kind of mythical tractor which had been imagined within the framework of the Apollo program and whose point speed does not exceed 1.5 kilometers per hour, it is quite an adventure.

It will thus have taken no less than 11 hours of a cautious expedition to carry the SLS launcher and its more than 1,300 tons – with only its powder boosters loaded – on the no shooting which it could be launched from June 6th. It will be based on the results of the tests he will now take for the next two weeks.

This is the big day ! Nasa’s powerful SLS launcher finally shows itself tomorrow in full

Preparing for the maiden flight of the SLS, NASA’s launcher to return to the Moon, continues. Tomorrow, he will be transferred to his launch pad with the vehicle on board. But only for testing. Its launch for a flight around the Moon could take place in June or July.

Article by Rémy Decourt published on 03/16/2022

The return of the Americans to the Moon is being actively prepared. The delays in the construction of the very powerful and very large SLS launcher are today a bad memory. All the lights seem to be green despite the delay on the initial schedule which provided for a first flight in 2017!

The launcher, with the Orion vehicle on board for the Artemis 1 mission, is currently in its assembly building (Vehicle Assembly Building or VAB), the same one used by space shuttles for their assembly and preparation. After a final review, NASA authorized the installation of the launcher on launch pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center, located several kilometers from the VAB. The operation is scheduled for March 17 and will be broadcast live on Nasa.tv.

This transfer to the launch pad does not mean that the launch is near! Before launching Artemis 1, NASA has planned several weeks of checks and tests that will end with a complete repetition of the countdown, that is to say, the filling of the main stage with hydrogen and oxygen liquids until the firing of the four RS-25 engines which, of course, will not take place.

Uncertainty on the launch date

This dress rehearsal should begin on April 3 with the filling operations of the main floor tanks. Assuming all went well, NASA would be considering a launch in June or July. The option of an earlier launch, when window of shooting which will open on May 7 and will close on May 21, is also under study.

At the end of this test and its analysis, NASA should be able to announce the launch date.