NASA assigned the nearest launch date of the Space Launch System (SLS) with the ORION spacecraft to the moon on February 12, 2022, reports SpaceFlight Now.
The start window will be open within 15 days. Additional windows for running are available from March 12 to March 27 and from April 8 to April 23.
As part of an unmanned mission Artemis 1, the spacecraft must fly out the natural satellite of the Earth. Depending on the relative position of the Moon and the Earth at the time of the start of the rocket, the duration of the mission will be from three to six weeks.
Thus, NASA plans to check the readiness of SLS and Orion to the Mission of Artemis 2, involving the flight of the moon with a cosmic ship with four astronauts.
In July 2019, Mike Pens, taking the position of vice president of the United States, said that the American lunar program suggests the constant presence of astronauts on the natural satellite of the Earth. At the same time, NASA reported that the Reusable ORION spacecraft for the lunar mission of Artemis 1 is ready.