NASA Tests Heavy Space Launch System Rocket for Moon Missions

NASA announced that preparations are underway for the launch of the heavy space rocket "SLS" as part of the Artemis program to explore the Moon. In a statement from the agency, it was noted: "The core stage of the SLS rocket has been removed from the manufacturing facility in New Orleans for transport to the spaceport in Florida." Catherine Corn, director of the Space Exploration Systems Division at NASA, stated: "This stage of the rocket will be used for the Artemis 2 mission, which aims to launch the crewed Orion spacecraft that will orbit the Moon. The SLS rocket is a key component of our project to send long-duration crewed missions to the Moon." NASA indicated last January that the Artemis 2 mission is scheduled for launch in September 2025, and the Artemis 3 mission is expected to launch in September 2026. NASA announced the Artemis program outline for lunar exploration in 2019, indicating that the program will be executed in three phases: Artemis 1, during which an uncrewed Orion spacecraft will orbit the Moon and then return to Earth; Artemis 2, during which a crewed spacecraft will orbit the Moon; and Artemis 3, through which NASA hopes to send astronauts to the Moon and then to Mars.