NASA has set the nearest launch date for the superheavy Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft to the Moon on February 12, 2022, Spaceflight Now reports .
The launch window will be open for 15 days. Additional launch windows are available from March 12 to 27 and from April 8 to April 23.
As part of the Artemis 1 unmanned mission, the spacecraft must fly around the Earth's natural satellite. Depending on the relative position of the Moon and the Earth at the time of the rocket launch, the duration of the mission will be from three to six weeks.
Thus, NASA plans to test the readiness of SLS and Orion for the Artemis 2 mission, which involves a flyby of the Moon by a spacecraft with four astronauts.
In July 2019, Mike Pence, holding the position of Vice President of the United States, said that the American lunar program involves the constant presence of astronauts on a natural satellite of the Earth. At the same time, NASA reported that the reusable Orion spacecraft for the Artemis 1 lunar mission is ready.
Ivan Potapov
