“Orion Soars to New Heights: Artemis II Countdown Begins with Successful Stacking!”
In a strategic demonstration of mission preparedness, NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) team has recently linked the Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)-constructed Orion spacecraft with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the forthcoming Artemis II mission.
The Orion spacecraft, termed as Integrity by its astronaut team, was moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center, where it was strategically placed atop the SLS rocket in High Bay 3 on Oct. 19. This represents a pivotal accomplishment for the Artemis II mission as NASA and its industry partners come together for a revolutionary launch towards the Moon with four astronauts in early next year.
“The unification of SLS and Orion marks a significant milestone in our advancements on Artemis,” stated Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. “Soon, we will be dispatching four astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over fifty years on Artemis II — the latest proof of American leadership in space exploration.”
Post this connection, teams will set up electrical and data links between Orion and SLS, along with umbilical connections from the mobile launch platform to the spacecraft. EGS is preparing to conduct extensive testing of Orion and SLS prior to their relocation to Launch Pad 39B for a wet dress rehearsal next year.
“The complete assembly of Orion on the SLS is truly a breathtaking sight,” remarked Robert Lightfoot, president of Lockheed Martin Space. “Our teams have been working diligently to finalize these last steps and ensure Orion safely transports the crew to the Moon and brings them back home.”
The inaugural crewed mission of the Artemis program is anticipated to launch no earlier than February 2026, with possible launch windows extending into April 2026. This mission is expected to last ten days and represents a vital step towards establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon for exploration and scientific research.
Orion stands as the most sophisticated, human-rated, deep-space spacecraft ever built. Lockheed Martin serves as the primary contractor to NASA for Orion, responsible for the crew module, crew module adapter, and launch abort system.
