NASA Artemis II Moon mission 2026: SLS Rocket Begins Slow Crawl to Launch Pad
NASA's SLS rocket for the Artemis II Moon mission 2026 began its rollout to the launch pad on January 17. This marks the first human lunar voyage in over 50 years.
The 54-year wait for humanity's return to the Moon is nearing its final countdown. Early Saturday, January 17, 2026, NASA began the monumental task of moving the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from its assembly building to the seaside launch pad, marking a critical milestone for the Artemis II mission.
NASA Artemis II Moon mission 2026: The 4-Mile Journey
According to official reports from Kennedy Space Center, the rocket and its mobile launch platform exited the Vehicle Assembly Building at approximately 7:00 am EST. The operation relies on NASA's legendary crawler transporter, a diesel-powered behemoth certified as the world's heaviest self-propelled vehicle. It's expected to take 8 to 10 hours to traverse the 4-mile stretch to Launch Complex 39B.
Breaking Distance Records in Deep Space
While Artemis II won't touch down on the lunar surface, its trajectory is designed to set a new record. The crew will travel several thousand miles past the Moon's far side, venturing further into the void than any human in history. This mission serves as the ultimate stress test for the Orion spacecraft's life support systems before the crewed landing planned for Artemis III.
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