NASA moon rocket moves to launch pad ahead of planned astronaut flight

NASA's Space Launch System rocket was rolled from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center as preparation for a crewed lunar fly-around; NASA says a fuelling test is planned in early February before a launch date is confirmed.

NASA's new moon rocket was rolled from the Vehicle Assembly Building to its launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in a slow, daytime rollout. The move prepares for the agency's first crewed lunar fly-around in more than 50 years, a mission that could launch in February if timeline checks proceed as planned. Thousands of space centre workers and family members watched the transport, and agency leaders and the four assigned astronauts were present. The mission is planned as a roughly 10-day fly-around and does not include a lunar landing. Key details: - The rocket is about 98 metres (322 feet) tall and was moved roughly 4 miles at about 1 mph using an upgraded, historic transporter. - Thousands of workers and family members gathered to observe the rollout; NASA administrator Jared Isaacman and the crew attended. - The four astronauts named for the mission are Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover (pilot), Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. - The first SLS launch in November 2022 sent an uncrewed Orion capsule around the moon; analyses of heat shield damage and other capsule issues from that flight contributed to delays. - NASA has scheduled a fuelling test of the SLS rocket on the pad in early February before confirming a launch date. - The agency has a five-day window in the first half of February for a launch before the schedule moves into March. Summary: The rollout is a visible step toward returning astronauts to a lunar mission profile after decades. NASA plans a fuelling test in early February and will confirm the launch date afterward; the current schedule offers a five-day opportunity in the first half of February. Undetermined at this time.