The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced the successful test of the Space Launch System launch vehicle at the Mississippi Space Center, writes Radio Liberty.
Experts tested the central rocket block - the largest rocket element ever built by NASA. Four engines ran for more than eight minutes.
Space Launch System - a super-heavy launch vehicle with a payload capacity of 95 tons, with the possibility of increasing up to 130 tons. The ship is designed for manned flights outside the Earth orbit.
The tests of the rocket unit were carried out in preparation for the Artemis 1 mission. According to plans, NASA will send the Orion unmanned spacecraft on a test flight around the Moon and back at the end of the year.. Artemis 2 manned mission will go to the moon in 2023. The moon landing is scheduled for 2024 as part of the Artemis 3 mission.