Big Rig Reaches Milestone as NASA Preps for Moon Trip

NASA's massive crawler-transporter, used to move heavy launch equipment, just hit a big mileage goal. This happened while they were moving the mobile launcher back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The mobile launcher had been tested and upgraded at the launch pad for NASA’s upcoming Artemis II mission. This mission will take astronauts around the Moon in 2024, testing their spacecraft's systems before landing on the lunar surface.The crawler-transporter moved the mobile launcher a distance of 4. 2 miles from Launch Pad 39B to the VAB. This trip is part of NASA’s plan to prepare for Artemis II, their first crewed flight under the Artemis program. After reaching the VAB, the mobile launcher will be joined with NASA's powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft. The Artemis II mission is a step towards establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon. It’s also about creating technologies needed for future Mars missions. The success of this mission will help ensure the systems are safe before humans land on the lunar surface with Artemis III.