'World’s Most Powerful Rocket' Rolls Out Toward Launch Pad

Finally, after more than a decade of planning, designing, building, and testing, NASA’s Artemis I rocket, dubbed Space Launch System (SLS), began rolling out of its gigantic Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) Thursday at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. Destination: Launch Pad Complex 39B.

Jeremy Kariuki and Thom Patterson

Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 05:54 PM ET

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The 322-foot Artemis I slowly moves on a crawler-transporter Thursday, toward its launch pad, about 4 miles away. [FLYING/Jeremy Kariuki]

Key Takeaways:

NASA's Artemis I rocket (SLS), after over a decade of development, has begun its rollout, initiating a crucial phase of the Artemis program.
The uncrewed Artemis I mission will test the world's most powerful rocket and Orion spacecraft by orbiting the Moon, laying groundwork for future human lunar exploration.
The Artemis program aims to land the first woman and person of color on the Moon, using these lunar missions as a vital testbed for technologies required for eventual long-duration human travel to Mars.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Florida (FLYING) — Finally, after more than a decade of planning, designing, building, and testing, NASA’s Artemis I rocket, dubbed Space Launch System (SLS), began rolling out of the gigantic Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) Thursday at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. Destination: Launch Complex 39B.

“Ladies and gentleman, the world’s most powerful rocket, right here,” said NASA administrator Bill Nelson, speaking to crowds gathered not far from the slow-rolling spacecraft and crawler. “And it’s back to the moon and then on to Mars.”