NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to send humans back to the moon, is making progress as the core stage assembly of the Artemis 2 moon rocket takes shape. A new photo released by NASA on March 22, 2023, shows the progress made on the core stage assembly of the rocket.
The Artemis 2 mission, which is slated for launch in 2024, will send four astronauts on a journey around the moon. It will be the first crewed mission to explore beyond low-Earth orbit since the Apollo program ended in 1972.
The core stage of the Artemis 2 rocket is being assembled at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. The facility is responsible for manufacturing and testing the core stage, which is the largest part of the rocket and houses the main engines, propellant tanks, and avionics systems.
According to NASA, the core stage assembly for Artemis 2 includes the engine section, the liquid hydrogen tank, the liquid oxygen tank, and the intertank, which connects the two tanks. The assembly process involves stacking and joining large sections of the core stage together.
The Artemis program is an important step towards NASA’s goal of establishing a sustainable presence on the moon and eventually sending humans to Mars. The program also aims to develop new technologies and capabilities that will benefit space exploration and the broader economy.
The new photo of the core stage assembly of the Artemis 2 moon rocket is a promising sign of progress for the program and an exciting development for space exploration enthusiasts.