NASA’s New Moon Rocket Is So Huge You Can Actually See It from Space

NASA’s Moon-bound Space Launch System (SLS) mega-rocket has been moved to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center last week to prepare for testing. Satellite images have shown the massive size of the rocket.

Airbus’ Pléiades Neo satellite happened to get some shots of the SLS and the Orion spacecraft that tops it as NASA prepares to test for the Artemis 1 lunar mission. Airbus also had a hand in building the SLS.

The #Artemis I launch is getting closer ?
We just captured the SLS rocket ? on its launch pad with our #PléiadesNeo ? hi-res satellite.
We can't wait to see the Orion spacecraft propelled by European-built service module in space! pic.twitter.com/c6Zdo8gIJ0

— Airbus Space (@AirbusSpace) March 18, 2022

This is going to be NASA’s first lunar mission since the early 1970s. It is expected to be launched towards the moon in May at the earliest.  The SLS and Orion capsule are out on Kennedy’s launchpad, testing the uber-expensive mega-rocket.

We have left the building! With the integrated SLS and Orion system atop it, the crawler-transporter has begun the approximately 4-mile journey from the VAB to the launch pad. Stay up to date on the roll through our @NASA #Artemis blog HERE >> https://t.co/f2x8yQ4ADq pic.twitter.com/wrGJLj60d6

— NASA_SLS (@NASA_SLS) March 17, 2022

It is said that it took a staggering 11 hours to get the SLS from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to the launch pad with the help of a 6.5-million-pound “crawler” transporter. The VAB itself was said to have the largest doors in existence so that the rocket, which measures 212 feet tall and more than 27 feet wide, could exit.

The SLS is billions of dollars over budget and took a decade to build. This is why this update is surrounded by excitement.