NASA rolls its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion capsule between the vehicle assembly building (VAB) and pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida using the crawler-transporter 2, the heaviest self-powered land vehicle on Earth. [Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett]
Key Takeaways:
NASA intends to launch the Artemis II crewed lunar flyby mission in April, serving as a critical test flight for future human lunar landings.
Officials acknowledge the mission carries significant risks for the four astronauts due to its novelty, with estimates for success potentially closer to 1-in-2, though specific probabilistic numbers are avoided.
Despite past technical issues during wet dress rehearsals (e.g., hydrogen leak, helium flow problem, communication dropouts), NASA will not conduct a third rehearsal to preserve vehicle life, and the crew's concerns, including about the heat shield, have been addressed.
NASA on Thursday said it intends to attempt the launch of a historic, 10-day mission around the moon and back in April, following slips from launch windows in February and March.
Officials also acknowledged the mission—as with any journey beyond low-Earth orbit—may risk the lives of four crewmembers.
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Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
