In brief
In a major milestone for space exploration, NASA's 98-meter-tall Space Launch System (SLS) has been moved to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida, marking the final steps for its Artemis II mission. This will be the first crewed journey to the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. Although the launch is tentatively set for early February 2026, the crew will undergo essential preparatory tests before embarking on their historic mission.
NASA's mega rocket has been moved to the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, as the final preparations get underway for the first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years.
Over almost 12 hours, the 98m-tall Space Launch System was carried vertically from the Vehicle Assembly Building on the 4-mile (6.5 km) journey to the pad.
Now it is in position, the final tests, checks - and a dress rehearsal - will take place, before the go-ahead is given for the 10-day Artemis II mission that will see four astronauts travel around the Moon.
NASA says the earliest the rocket can blast off is 6 February, with additional launch windows later that month as well as in March and April.
The rocket began moving at 07:04 local time (12:04 GMT) and arrived at Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center at 18:41 local time (23:42 GMT). The mega rocket was transported by a massive crawler-transporter, moving at a maximum speed of just 0.82 mph (1.3 km/h), captivating audiences through live coverage of the operation.
The upcoming launch will kick off critical steps for NASA's Artemis II mission, where astronauts will not land on the Moon but will circle it to gather vital data for future lunar landings. The astronauts onboard, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen, are eager to commence their journey, hoping it inspires a new generation to look toward space.
The European Service Module, an essential part of the Orion spacecraft, will provide vital life support and power. Its capabilities are crucial for the mission's success, designed to ensure crew safety as they embark on this historical journey.
As the Artemis team works around the clock to prepare for the launch, NASA insists that safety remains their top priority, aiming not only to reach the Moon but to return its astronauts home securely.
