It's a "go" for the historic launch of NASA's uncrewed Artemis 1 mission on August 29.
NASA has cleared the unscrewed flight for its scheduled August 29 launch. Liftoff is scheduled within a two-hour window starting at 8:33 am EDT or 12:33 pm GMT.
The historic mission, which is the first of NASA's Artemis program that seeks to bring astronauts back to the moon, will lift off from Kennedy Space Center's Pad 36B in Florida. The mission will become the maiden flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) megarocket, considered NASA's most powerful rocket ever, and a crucial test of the Orion spacecraft.
NASA associate administrator Robert Cabana announced Monday the "go" for launch, which he said was "absolutely outstanding," He further said that "this day has been a long time coming."
'Go' Announcement Comes After Flight Readiness Review
The announcement comes after a flight readiness review that indicated the absence of any substantive technical issues to delay the launch.
The Space Launch System will then send the Orion spacecraft to a journey around the Moon.
While Artemis 1 is uncrewed, future missions will have astronauts occupy the Orion for the first human landing mission to the Moon in half a century if all goes to plan.
The launch will be a key moment the U.S. space agency, which will mark the 50th anniversary of Apollo 17, the last human landing mission on the Moon.
NASA vowed to return to the Moon with its new lunar mission it named Artemis, the Greek goddess of the Moon and Apollo's sister, using modern day technology.
NASA considers the return to the Moon as an initial step for preparations in its planned human landing on Mars in the 2030s.
SLS and Orion have been in development for more than a decade and each spacecraft has cost more than $20 billion to reach launch date.
Orion had its near-Earth test flight in 2014 using a commercial rocket to reach space. The August 29 flight marks the first end-to-end mission of the Artemis program.
NASA has since invited the public to witness the historic launch in person or through various platforms.
How to Watch Artemis 1 Launch
The public can register to attend the Artemis I launch virtually or RSVP to the Facebook event. The virtual guest program for this launch includes curated launch resources, timely mission updates, and a virtual guest passport stamp following a successful launch.
The launch broadcast will begin on NASA Television at 6:30 a.m. EDT on Monday, Aug. 29, and be simulcast on the NASA website, as well as YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitch, Daily Motion, Theta.TV, and the NASA App.
For avid followers of this historic milestone, aspecial edition Artemis passport for this mission (and future Artemis missions!) is available. Print, fold, and get ready to fill your own passport! Stamps will be emailed following launches to those who register via email through Eventbrite.
Virtual and hands-on activities for students and educators. Find your favorite way to be part of the Artemis mission with NASA's STEM Engagement.
As the Orion spacecraft's internal and external cameras will snap views of Earth and the Moon as it traverses between them. In sharing this excitement, why not provide your own Moon-inspired art?
NASA wants to see, hear, and experience all of your Moon-focused works-it may be your Moon photographs, your Moon music, your Moon recipes, your Moon nail art, or even Moon makeup tutorials. Share these by adding #NASAMoonSnap to your posts!
You can also share how you witnessed the launch on using the hashtags #Artemis. Get updated by following and tagging these accounts:
Twitter: @NASA, @NASAArtemis
Facebook: NASA, NASAArtemis
Instagram: NASA, NASAArtemis
For ore information about the mission, visit the NASA launch blog.
