Nasa has begun moving its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft back to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, targeting 1 April for the first crewed flyby of the moon in over 50 years. The manoeuvre, which started at 8pm local time, involves slowly transporting the 5,000-tonne stack 4 miles (6.5km) from the Vehicle Assembly Building to launch pad 39B.
The Artemis 2 mission will carry three US astronauts and one Canadian on a 10-day journey around the moon. This test flight is a crucial step towards returning humans to the lunar surface, a goal set by former President Donald Trump. However, the programme has faced multiple delays, including a recent helium flow issue that forced the rocket back into the assembly building for repairs.
Earlier technical problems, such as a liquid hydrogen leak that cut short a wet dress rehearsal, had already pushed back the launch schedule. Nasa now hopes to launch on 1 April, with additional opportunities in the following days if needed.
The Artemis 2 crew entered quarantine in Houston on Wednesday as they prepare for the mission. If successful, this will be the first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972.
