In a NASA Artemis mission picture released on December 30, 2025, the Space Launch System (SLS) is seen with some of the retractable platforms pulled away iInside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA Kennedy. (NASA via SWNS)
By Dean Murray
Impressive scenes show the huge rocket set to carry astronauts around the Moon next month.
NASA has shown off final preparation for the Artemis II mission to return humans to the vicinity of the Moon for the first time in more than half a century.
Artemis II crew members CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist, right, and NASA astronauts Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; after exiting the elevator at the 275-foot level of the mobile launcher as they walk towards the crew access arm prepare to board their Orion spacecraft atop NASA's Moon rocket during the Artemis II countdown demonstration test on Dec. 20, inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA Kennedy. (NASA via SWNS)
The Space Launch System (SLS) is a super-heavy-lift rocket generating about 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff that will send the astronauts on their way.
NASA Artemis said on December 30: "The Moon is calling! Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA Kennedy, some of the retractable platforms have been pulled away from the SLS and Orion spacecraft, marking a major milestone on the road to launch. Artemis II is one step closer to liftoff."
From right to left, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist. (NASA via SWNS)
The space agency has said the launch window could open as early as February 5, but launching no later than the end of April.
The ten-day flight will carry four astronauts—including Canada’s Jeremy Hansen and Americans Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch—aboard the Orion spacecraft.
Their journey will loop around the Moon before returning to Earth, serving as a crucial test of life-support systems, deep-space communications and navigation ahead of the planned Artemis III landing and, ultimately, future human missions to Mars.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.