NASA’s effort to expand human exploration of space took a major step forward on Nov. 16 with the launch of the Boeing-led Space Launch System rocket. That rocket will propel the Lockheed Martin-made Orion crew capsule 40,000 mi. beyond the Moon and then return to Earth. The next mission, Artemis II, will send a crew of four astronauts twice around Earth, past the far side of the Moon and back home. The Artemis III mission is expected to send humans to the surface of the Moon with the intention of building a cislunar economy and preparing for travel to Mars. Here are images from the preparation and launch of this historic mission.
Read more about the launch and see a timeline of the Space Launch System: Next Chapter In U.S. Space Program Opens With Launch Of Artemis I