Watch: Timelapse shows Nasa rocket's 12-hour journey to launch pad

BBC News - WorldEN 1 min read 100% complete January 18, 2026 at 03:14 AM

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NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) Moon rocket and Orion Space Capsule were transported from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to a launch pad on Saturday. The 4-mile journey took approximately 12 hours, with the rocket moving at a speed of 0.82 mph. This move prepares the rocket for the Artemis II mission, currently scheduled to launch no earlier than February 6. The 10-day mission will carry four astronauts further into space than ever before. Artemis II aims to pave the way for a future human landing on the Moon, the first since 1972.

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Florida 60% Orion Space Capsule 70% Kennedy Space Center 70% Artemis II 70% Moon ×270% Space Launch System 80% National Aeronautics and Space Administration ×290%

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moon rocket 90% space launch system 80% artemis ii mission 80% orion space capsule 70% launch pad 70% space exploration 60% human landing 60% nasa 50% astronauts 50%