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| Artemis II with ESA Logo and NASA Logo |
The European Space Agency (ESA) has gifted space fans a mesmerizing behind-the-scenes look at a pivotal moment in lunar exploration. A newly released short video condenses the monumental 12-hour journey of the Artemis II moon rocket from its assembly hangar to the launchpad into a breathtaking 90-second time-lapse. This isn't just a spectacular visual; it's a powerful reminder of the international collaboration fueling humanity's return to the Moon.
While NASA's iconic Space Launch System (SLS) rocket provides the brute lift, ESA’s contribution is absolutely vital to the mission's success. The powerhouse of the Orion spacecraft is the European Service Module (ESM), built by ESA. Positioned directly below the crew capsule, the ESM is a technological marvel that will keep astronauts alive and on course. It provides everything from electricity, water, and breathable air to the critical propulsion needed to navigate the voyage to the Moon and back. Look closely, and you'll see the ESA logo proudly displayed on the spacecraft—a testament to this global partnership.
Witness the colossal rollout for yourself in ESA's official video.
The footage begins with a rare glimpse inside the cavernous Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Even the towering SLS rocket appears dwarfed within this architectural behemoth, which stands 160 meters tall and encloses a staggering 3.7 million cubic meters of space. It’s the perfect curtain-raiser for the main event: the rocket's slow-motion pilgrimage to the pad.
The journey is powered by a legendary crawler-transporter, a vehicle in service since the Apollo era that moves at a deliberate maximum speed of just 1.6 km/h (1 mph). The time-lapse transforms this "pedestrian pace" into a dramatic procession, beautifully showcasing the 6.5-kilometer (4-mile) route and the sheer, awe-inspiring scale of the fully stacked rocket.
With the rocket now standing proudly at Launchpad 39B, preparations for this historic mission are entering their final, intense phase. Artemis II will send four astronauts on a daring 10-day flyby of the Moon, marking the first crewed flight into deep space in over 50 years. After separating from the SLS rocket, the European Service Module will take the reins, steering and sustaining the Orion capsule and its crew.
The rollout is a major milestone on the path to launch. If upcoming final tests proceed smoothly, launch windows are already identified, with a targeted departure set for April 2026. For those eager to follow every step, the Artemis II rocket can now be seen in live streams from the pad on platforms like YouTube, bringing the excitement of a new space age directly to our screens.