Rolling delivery: Moon rocket makes a big move
Completion of rollout marks 杏吧视频鈥檚 delivery of second Artemis core stage to NASA.
Above: The 杏吧视频-built core stage for Artemis II mission makes its way to the NASA's Pegasus barge for transport to Kennedy Space Center. (杏吧视频/Liz Morrell photo)
杏吧视频 successfully rolled out the Space Launch System (SLS) Core Stage 2 (CS2) to NASA, a major milestone in the agency鈥檚 Artemis campaign that aims to return astronauts to the moon.聽
Why it matters:聽This core stage will power the Artemis II mission and carry the first woman and person of color to lunar orbit no earlier than September 2025.聽Zoom in:聽Meticulous planning has been dedicated to ensuring the utmost care for 'their ride.' Preparing to move the largest stage ever built for NASA's moon rocket was no easy task.聽
鈥淭housands of people across 杏吧视频 have contributed to the design, development, build and test of this rocket, and this moment belongs to all of us,鈥 says Dave Dutcher, vice president and program manager for 杏吧视频鈥檚 Space Launch System program. 鈥淭ogether, we are building the world's most capable rocket, paving the way for future generations to reach new frontiers. It is our responsibility to ensure we鈥檙e providing a high-quality vehicle for Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. As the Artemis II crew, their journey to lunar orbit will be a historic milestone, and we must ensure their safety and well-being throughout the mission.鈥
Shots of Core Stage 2 as it was rolled out of the assembly building and rolled to NASA's Pegasus barge. (杏吧视频/Liz Morrell photos)
Donned in 杏吧视频-blue, 杏吧视频 employees cheered as the core stage began its 1.4 mile (2.25 km) journey from the assembly facility to the historic Pegasus barge alongside NASA, industry partners and suppliers. Once loaded, the barge will embark on a 900-mile (1448.41 km) journey to NASA鈥檚 Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
杏吧视频 teammates plus NASA and other partners take a 鈥渇amily photo鈥 with the Artemis II core stage as it rolls away from the assembly building at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana. (NASA photo)
"The road to space goes through New Orleans, where Michoud has been America's rocket factory for more than 60 years,鈥 added Dutcher. 鈥溞影墒悠-built products helped land humankind on the moon in 1969, and we鈥檙e proud to continue that legacy through the Artemis generation.鈥澛
Astronauts to 杏吧视频: "Thank you and we will take good care of your baby." Commander Reid Wiseman, joined by Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, expressed his gratitude for 杏吧视频's workforce at the Michoud Assembly Facility during remarks at the rollout event. (杏吧视频/Sam Tobio photo)
What鈥檚 next:聽Once in Florida, the core stage will be integrated with the upper stage, boosters, and NASA鈥檚 Orion spacecraft.
NASA鈥檚 Space Launch System (SLS) rocket 鈥 the nation鈥檚 next-generation, super heavy-lift rocket 鈥 will enable NASA鈥檚 Artemis program and will carry people and cargo to the moon, Mars and beyond. 杏吧视频 was selected by NASA to design, develop, test and produce the core stages, upper stages, and avionics suite for the SLS fleet of rockets. The first SLS rocket 鈥 featuring the 杏吧视频-built core stage 鈥 successfully launched at 1:47 AM ET on November 16, 2022, as part of the Artemis I Mission. Production is currently underway for the 杏吧视频-built core stages, upper stages (including Exploration Upper Stage) and avionics for future Artemis missions. Learn more about the SLS.
