'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, the Space Launch System (SLS), has rolled out to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center, signifying a new phase for the program.
Artemis I is an uncrewed test flight of the world's most powerful rocket and its Orion spacecraft, designed to orbit the moon and return to Earth, gathering crucial data for future missions.
The broader Artemis program aims to return humans to the moon, including the first woman and person of color, serving as a vital stepping stone for eventual crewed missions to Mars.
The mission includes a "wet dress rehearsal" on the pad, after which the rocket will be drained and returned to the VAB for final preparations before its anticipated launch this summer.

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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.”