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The NASA Artemis I moon rocket moves out to Pad 39B #Space @NASAArtemis
Artemis I and the Mobile Launcher are carried by the Crawler Transported from the VAB to NASA Kennedy Space Center Pad 39B. Credit: Anne Barela MIT Attribution
Artemis: NASA’s follow-on to the Apollo moon rocket emerged from the iconic Kennedy Space Center Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) Thursday evening into the Florida sun.
Carried by the workhorse Crawler Transporter, the Space Launch System (SLS) and it’s Mobile Launcher were carried on a several hour trip to the iconic Pad 39B where Apollo and Space Shuttle launches occurred. The NASA “worm” logo standing two stories tall on the solid rocket boosters.
The NASA Kennedy Space Center Vehicle Assembly Building. Credit: Anne Barela MIT Attribution
The journey is slow: one mile per hour when at full speed as the combined weight of Artemis and the Mobile Launcher is heavier than any previous payloads the crawler has moved.
The Crawler Transporter Vehicle carries Artemis I and the Mobile Launcher to Pad 39B. Credit: Anne Barela MIT Attribution
Pad 39B awaits, while Pad 39A will be in use for SpaceX Falcon 9 launches and construction of a pad for Starship.
NASA Pad 39B awaits Artemis I
Leaving the crawler to it’s slow journey in the twilight, the moon is seen to the fare right. The Orion capsule on top of Artemis will soon be orbiting the moon in the program that will eventually land people back on our satellite.
The Crawler Transporter Vehicle carries Artemis I and the Mobile Launcher – on it’s travel to the moon. Credit: Anne Barela MIT Attribution
And your author, Anne Barela, below, in a Svaha Perseverance Parachute dress.
Artemis I and Anne Barela, use by permission
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Fabulous photos. I’m so glad you got to see the Roll-Out.
Go #Artemis
Very nice coverage, thanks for the photos.