NASA Launches Massive Artemis II Rocket to Moon Mission Launchpad
- NASA rolled its 322-foot (98-meter) Space Launch System rocket to the launchpad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday, Jan.
- The SLS rocket, topped with the Orion capsule to carry astronauts, began its 4-mile journey from NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building at 7:00 a.m.
- The rollout initiates a series of tests and rehearsals.success will bring NASA closer to final preparations for its first crewed lunar flight in over five decades.
NASA rolled its 322-foot (98-meter) Space Launch System rocket to the launchpad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. The move signals final preparations for the U.S. space agency’s first crewed mission to the moon in more than 50 years, Artemis II.
The SLS rocket, topped with the Orion capsule to carry astronauts, began its 4-mile journey from NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building at 7:00 a.m. ET. The massive building is where the rocket’s components were assembled,heading to historic Launch Pad 39B. NASA broadcast the event, known as a “rollout,” live on its YouTube channel.
The rollout initiates a series of tests and rehearsals.success will bring NASA closer to final preparations for its first crewed lunar flight in over five decades. Artemis II could launch between Feb. 6 and Feb. 11, 2026, with launch windows also available in March and April.
This rollout allows mission managers to assess the booster’s condition and safety before NASA leaders set an official launch date.