NASA and Lockheed Martin have reached a significant step in preparing for the Artemis II mission, as the Orion spacecraft was recently connected to the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at Kennedy Space Center. The spacecraft, named Integrity by its astronaut crew, was moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building and placed atop the SLS rocket on October 19.
This integration is seen as a key milestone as NASA and its partners work toward launching four astronauts around the Moon early next year. Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy stated, "Integration of SLS and Orion represents a major milestone in our progress on Artemis. Soon, we will be launching four astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over half a century on Artemis II — the latest demonstration of American dominance in space."
After connecting Orion to the SLS, teams will complete electrical and data links between the two vehicles, as well as umbilical connections from the mobile launch platform. The Exploration Ground Systems team will conduct integrated tests before moving the assembled spacecraft to Launch Pad 39B for a wet dress rehearsal next year.
Robert Lightfoot, president of Lockheed Martin Space, commented, "The full stack of Orion on the SLS is a truly spectacular sight. Our teams have been working tirelessly to finalize these last steps and ensure Orion takes the crew to the Moon and brings them home safely."
The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than February 2026, with possible windows extending through April 2026. The ten-day flight will mark the first crewed mission of NASA's Artemis program and is considered an important step toward establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon.
Lockheed Martin serves as NASA’s prime contractor for Orion, responsible for building its crew module, adaptor, and launch abort system. The company describes Orion as "the most advanced, human-rated, deep space spacecraft ever developed."
For more information about Lockheed Martin and its role in space exploration, visit Lockheedmartin.com.
