NASA Unveils Artemis II Lunar Rocket

NASA is extending an invitation to media representatives to witness the fully assembled Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, set for mid-October. This event precedes the crewed test flight scheduled for next year, which aims to orbit the Moon, marking a significant step in deep space exploration.

The showcase will provide an opportunity for journalists, both U.S. and international, to engage with NASA and industry experts. Media accreditation deadlines are set for September 22 for international media and September 29 for U.S. media. Interested parties must apply through NASA’s online media accreditation site.

The Orion spacecraft is scheduled to transition to the Vehicle Assembly Building where it will be mounted on the SLS rocket. Following this, the rocket will undergo integrated testing and final preparations before it is moved to Launch Pad 39B.

Artemis II is poised to send astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day mission around the Moon. This mission is part of NASA’s efforts to pave the way for future lunar exploration, setting the stage for the first crewed mission to Mars.