Artemis I livestream: Watch NASA’s historic SLS rocket launch

NASA is sending its colossal Area Launch System into house for the primary time on 29 August for the Artemis I mission across the moon. Watch the launch protection right here

By Leah Crane

The eyes of the world are on Cape Canaveral, Florida, the place NASA is about to launch its Area Launch System (SLS) rocket into house for the very first time.

SLS is essentially the most highly effective rocket ever constructed. It has confronted quite a few delays for the reason that challenge started in 2011, nevertheless it has lastly rolled out to the launch pad and is prepared for liftoff. Its mission, referred to as Artemis I, will final 42 days and is the start of NASA’s programme to ship people again to the floor of the moon.

Stacked atop the SLS rocket is the Orion capsule, which can separate from the core of the rocket itself about 8 minutes and 30 seconds after launch and proceed onward to orbit the moon. The capsule is designed to hold crew, however for this primary check flight it’s going to carry solely mannequins designed to measure the forces and radiation that crew members would expertise in the course of the mission.

When is the launch?

The Artemis I launch is scheduled for 29 August between 8.33am and 10.33am EDT (between 1.33pm and three.33pm BST). A livestream of the launch will likely be obtainable on this web page above. If any points delay the mission, there are backup launch dates on 2 and 5 September.

If all goes nicely with Artemis I, the Artemis II mission deliberate for 2024 will likely be SLS and Orion’s first crewed flight. That flight is deliberate to final solely about 10 days, taking a crew of 4 astronauts on a flight previous the moon however not touchdown. Artemis III, scheduled for 2025, is deliberate to be NASA’s return to the moon, the primary crewed lunar touchdown for the reason that Apollo 17 mission in 1972. After that, the Artemis programme is anticipated to proceed with the supply of an area station referred to as the Lunar Gateway into orbit across the moon.