NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is illuminated by … [+]
Despite 100 mph winds from Tropical Storm Nicole battering the Florida Space Coast last week NASA has confirmed that the Artemis I Moon mission will take-off as planned this week in an exciting night launch.
The SLS is a largest rocket ever constructed—and that includes the agency’s Saturn V “Moon rocket,” which was last used in 1973. Standing 322 ft. high, the SLS is also a “Moon rocket” with 8.8 million pounds (3.9 million kg) of thrust.
The space agency has also confirmed its plans for live coverage—while an astronomer will livestream real-time views of the spacecraft roaring across Europe shortly after takeoff. Here’s everything you need to know to experience this extra-special rocket launch.
What is the Artemis I mission?
Artemis I is a long-duration 1.3 million miles (2.1 million kilometers) trip to the Moon, past the Moon and then back again. It will test NASA’s new heavy-lift rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS)—the biggest rocket ever built—as well as proving-out the Orion spacecraft for crewed flights to the Moon.
When will Artemis I launch?
The very early hours of Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 1:04 a.m. EST (6:04 a.m. GMT) during a two-hour window is when to watch the landmark launch. That’s Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 10:04 p.m.
However, be prepared for delays and scrubbed launches. Stay tuned to the @NASAArtemis and @NASA Twitter feeds for updates to launch times and coverage changes.
When and where to watch the Artemis-1 launch
NASA YouTube is where to go to watch the extensive launch coverage on Saturday, September 3, 2022. Launch coverage begins a few hours before the big moment on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 10:30 p.m. EST.
NASA TV is also available on the NASA website, Facebook, Twitch and in 4k on NASA’s UHD channel.
Here’s the exact schedule as well as some events not to miss in the post-launch hours:
- 10:30 p.m. EST: live launch coverage begins in English (Spanish is 1:00 p.m. EST on separate feeds on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube).
- 1:04 a.m. EST through 3:04 a.m. EST: launch window.
- 2:04 a.m. EST (earliest): Around an hour after lift-off will be a post-launch news conference.
- 8:30 a.m. EST: Coverage of Orion’s first outbound trajectory burn on the way to the Moon. Exact time depends on exact liftoff time.
- 10:00 a.m. EST: Coverage of first Earth views from Orion during outbound coast to the Moon. Exact time depends on exact liftoff time.
What happens if there’s another scrub?
If the launch is scrubbed (this is the fourth attempt) the next launch window available is Saturday, November 19, 2022. NASA mandates that there must be no more than three attempts in seven days). So if there is a scrub Saturday then the next launch date can’t be any earlier than Tuesday.
What Artemis I will do after launch
The spacecraft and rocket will launch, orbit the Earth, and then send Orion and the ESM to enter an elliptical orbit of the Moon that will see them get to within 69 miles/111 kilometers above its surface and about 40,000 miles beyond it in the days after. That’s farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever flown. It will then return for an even closer flyby the Moon on its way home.
NASA’s timeline for the launch of Artemis I.
How to watch Artemis I on the way to the Moon
If the mission launches on schedule then the Virtual Telescope Project’s robotic telescopes will be trained on the Orion capsule as it journeys to the Moon. The live feed is scheduled for November 17, 2022 from 03:30 UTC when Orion should be at about 180,000 km from us (about 45% of the average lunar distance).
How long will the Artemis I mission last?
Exactly 25 days, which is a lot less than the 42 days originally planned. It’s because of the position of the Moon. The solar-powered Orion spacecraft’s trajectory must not take it through the path of an eclipse—the shadow of the Moon—for more than 90 minutes otherwise it will completely lose power.
If it successfully launches on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 then the Artemis I mission will splashdown off the coast of San Diego, California in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, December 11, 2022.
Artemis I is the first of three missions on the schedule, with Artemis II in 2024 slated to take four crew and Artemis III due to take two astronauts to the lunar surface in 2025 or later.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
