WATCH: NASA fully assembles SLS rocket ahead of Artemis mission to moon

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — NASA has announced a possible launch window for the mission that will eventually send astronauts back to the moon and beyond.

Officials at Kennedy Space Center shared time-lapse video of crews fully assembling the Artemis 1 mission launch vehicle including the SLS rocket, Orion spacecraft and launch-abort system.

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The Artemis 1 mission will be an uncrewed launch to orbit the moon and return to Earth that will last around four to six weeks.

Time-lapse: NASA fully assembles SLS rocket ahead of Artemis mission to moon (WFTV)

If all tests go well in the months ahead, the launch window is expected to open sometime between Feb.12 and Feb. 27 of next year.

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The Artemis program aims to help people live and work in space, on the moon and pave the way to future missions to Mars.

“It’s hard to put into words what this milestone means, not only to us here at Exploration Ground Systems, but to all the incredibly talented people who have worked so hard to help us get to this point,” said Mike Bolger, Exploration Ground Systems program manager. “Our team has demonstrated tremendous dedication preparing for the launch of Artemis I. While there is still work to be done to get to launch, with continued integrated tests and Wet Dress Rehearsal, seeing the fully stacked SLS is certainly a reward for all of us.”

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