Artemis II on the Move: ESA Showcases Massive SLS Rollout in New Time-Lapse

The European Space Agency (ESA) has released a short video showcasing the complete rollout of the Artemis II moon rocket in a compact time-lapse. It is no coincidence that the imagery comes from ESA, as the mission is a joint project. While NASA provides the massive Space Launch System, ESA supplies one of the most critical components with the European Service Module (ESM). This powerhouse sits directly below the Orion capsule, supplying the crew with electricity, water, air, and the necessary propulsion for the course to the Moon. Consequently, the ESA logo is prominently visible on the spacecraft.

The ESA video condenses the actual twelve-hour journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launchpad 39B into just over 90 seconds. Before the rocket sees daylight, however, the footage grants an impressive look inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). With a height of 160 meters and a volume of approximately 3.7 million cubic meters, the assembly hall is one of the world's largest buildings, providing a massive backdrop that dwarfs even the massive SLS rocket.

In reality, the gigantic crawler-transporter moves forward at a maximum of 1.6 km/h (1 mph), a speed at which even pedestrians could effortlessly overtake it. The special vehicle has been in service since 1965 and has transported numerous rockets and shuttles. The time-lapse compensates for the leisurely pace and impressively stages the 6.5-kilometer (4 mi) route as well as the sheer dimensions of the rocket.

Following the arrival at the pad, preparations for the historic launch are now entering the hot phase. Artemis II is set to send four astronauts on a ten-day flyby of the Moon, becoming the first manned flight into deep space in half a century. The European Service Module takes over control after separation from the rocket. If the upcoming tests proceed successfully, initial launch dates are already scheduled for February, with a departure targeted for April at the latest. Since the rollout of the rocket, Artemis II can be followed in a live stream on YouTube.