NASA just rolled its massive Moon rocket, the SLS and Orion spacecraft, back to the launchpad in Florida. This is a huge step after some repairs, and it means we're getting closer to seeing astronauts fly around the Moon. They're now looking at a launch window that opens on April 1st.
Moving a rocket this big isn't a quick job. Engineers started the slow journey on Thursday evening, and it can take up to 12 hours to cover the four miles to Launch Pad 39B. Once it's settled, the team will get everything ready for the mission.
If all goes to plan, four astronauts – three from the U.S. and one from Canada – will take a trip around the Moon. This mission, called Artemis 2, should last about ten days. It's a seriously cool step towards putting humans back on the lunar surface for the first time in over 50 years.
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Start Your News DetoxThis mission has faced a few speed bumps. Just last month, engineers found a helium flow problem, which meant moving the 11-million-pound rocket back indoors for fixes. Before that, they also dealt with a tricky liquid hydrogen leak during a practice run. That's like finding a small leak in your car's fuel line right before a big road trip.
But now, with the rocket back on the pad, the excitement is building. The crew even started their quarantine in Houston this week, a standard procedure before a historic journey like this. It's a clear sign that this long-awaited Moon flyby is finally within reach.
