NASA is all set to launch a new Moon exploration rocket, SLS

The American space agency is counting on the lift-off of its giant new Moon rocket - the Space Launch System.

The space Launch System is the most powerful vehicle ever developed by NASA. SLS will be the foundation of the Artemis project of NASA, aiming to put people back on the lunar surface after 50 years. On Monday at 08:33 local time, the rocket is timed to go up from the Kennedy Space Centre. Its job will be to propel Orion, a test capsule, far from Earth.

For this demonstration, Orion is uncrewed, but it is assumed that all the hardware works correctly. However, astronauts will climb aboard for a future series of more complex missions, starting in 2024. NASA astronaut, Randy Bresnik explained that everything they are doing with Artemis I flight is because they are looking at it through the lens of what can be demonstrated and proved out, which will buy down the risk for the Artemis II crewed mission.

To show this space exploration is for everyone, NASA plans to land the first person of color and woman on the Moon. NASA's ambition lies further afield, and the lunar surface is just the beginning. The main aim is Mars, which will indeed be a giant leap to experience.