The Artemis II mission aims to test systems and hardware needed for future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. NASA’s Artemis II SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft lifted off from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center at 6:35 p.m. EDT.
This mission will last approximately 10 days and includes a crew of four astronauts: NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
Upon liftoff, the SLS rocket’s twin solid rocket boosters generated more than 3.6 million pounds of thrust, contributing to a total thrust of 8.8 million pounds. The Orion spacecraft’s solar array wings have fully deployed, completing a key configuration step for the mission, with a wingspan of 63 feet when fully extended.
Each solar array wing is equipped with 15,000 solar cells, ensuring the spacecraft has the necessary power for its journey.
Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, a key figure in the mission, remarked, “This moment represents the culmination of years of planning and hours of meticulous pre-launch work, bringing the mission to the threshold of history.” This sentiment underscores the significance of this launch in the context of NASA’s Artemis campaign.
The weather conditions have been favorable, with reports indicating a 90% go for launch. This positive outlook has been crucial for the mission’s success.
Looking ahead, the next major milestones for the Artemis II mission include the perigee raise maneuver and apogee raise burn, which will be critical for the spacecraft’s trajectory.
NASA’s launch broadcast coverage is available on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube, allowing viewers worldwide to witness this historic event.
