In Pictures: Artemis I Mission From Preflight to Space

Jen DiMascio November 21, 2022
Space Launch System takeoff
Credit: United Launch Alliance

The Space Launch System took off on Nov. 16 from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center, marking the start of the Artemis I mission.

Artemis I graphic
Credit: NASA

About 14 hr. after the launch, Orion traveled 79,563 mi. from Earth at a speed of 4,410 mph. During the mission, NASA will study the performance of the capsule to ensure that it can safely carry humans, reenter the atmosphere, land and be recovered on Earth.

Banana Creek view of the Space Launch System rocket
Credit: Keegan Barber/NASA

The view from Banana Creek at Kennedy Space Center of the Space Launch System rocket launch at about 1:47 a.m. on Nov. 16.

students in auditorium waiting for launch
Credit: Keegan Barber/NASA

It took NASA more than a decade to build the Space Launch System and numerous attempts to prepare the rocket for flight. Attending a rocket launch involves a lot of patience, a lesson these four students experienced firsthand.

Artemis I launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson
Credit: Ben Smegelsky/NASA

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, launch director of Artemis I, during a launch simulation for the mission weeks before the launch. In that role, she leads and manages launch operations planning, countdown planning, philosophy, launch and scrub turnaround procedures and schedules as well as approaches to training.

cameras on tripods facing launch site
Credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA

Photographers from news outlets around the world set up remote cameras to capture the launch of the most powerful rocket in operation today.

Artemis I pretest briefing at Kennedy Space Center
Credit: Frank Michaux/NASA

An Artemis I pretest briefing at Kennedy Space Center in September. The first attempt to launch the spacecraft occurred in late August. Technical issues and two hurricanes delayed the SLS takeoff until November.

lightning strike at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39B
Credit: NASA

On Sept. 12, the Space Launch System and Orion survived a lightning strike at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39B.

NASA’s effort to expand human exploration of space took a major step forward on Nov. 16 with the launch of the Boeing-led Space Launch System rocket. That rocket will propel the Lockheed Martin-made Orion crew capsule 40,000 mi. beyond the Moon and then return to Earth. The next mission, Artemis II, will send a crew of four astronauts twice around Earth, past the far side of the Moon and back home. The Artemis III mission is expected to send humans to the surface of the Moon with the intention of building a cislunar economy and preparing for travel to Mars. Here are images from the preparation and launch of this historic mission.

Read more about the launch and see a timeline of the Space Launch System: Next Chapter In U.S. Space Program Opens With Launch Of Artemis I

Jen DiMascio

Based in Washington, Jen manages Aviation Week’s worldwide defense, space and security coverage.

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