BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — NASA is one step closer to the countdown to the historic launch of its uncrewed mission around the moon.
Late Tuesday evening crews began the rollout of the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center’s Vehicle Assembly Building to launchpad 39B.
After completing the 4-mile, 12-hour journey to the pad, work will begin to prepare the rocket for launch.
Artemis I is the first in a series of missions that NASA says will pave the way for future crewed missions to the moon and Mars.
Artemis I Rollout CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - AUGUST 17: In this handout image provided by NASA, NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop a mobile launcher as it rolls out of the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center on August 17, 2022 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA's Artemis I mission is the first integrated test of the agency's deep space exploration systems, which includes the Orion spacecraft, SLS rocket, and supporting ground systems. Launch of the uncrewed flight test is targeted for no earlier than August 29. (Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images) (NASA/Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images)
NASA Moon Rocket The NASA Artemis rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building moving slowly to pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. NASA is aiming for an Aug. 29 liftoff for the lunar test flight. (AP Photo/Terry Renna) (Terry Renna)
NASA Moon Rocket NASA's Artemis rocket, with the Orion spacecraft aboard, stands in the vehicle assembly building before rolling out to launch pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. NASA is aiming for an Aug. 29 liftoff for the lunar test flight. No one will be inside the crew capsule atop the rocket, just three mannequins. (AP Photo/Terry Renna) (Terry Renna)
Artemis I Rollout CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - AUGUST 17: In this handout image provided by NASA, NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop a mobile launcher as it rolls out of the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center on August 17, 2022 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA's Artemis I mission is the first integrated test of the agency's deep space exploration systems, which includes the Orion spacecraft, SLS rocket, and supporting ground systems. Launch of the uncrewed flight test is targeted for no earlier than August 29. (Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images) (NASA/Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images)
NASA Moon Rocket The NASA Artemis rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building moving slowly to pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. NASA is aiming for an Aug. 29 liftoff for the lunar test flight. (AP Photo/Terry Renna) (Terry Renna)
NASA Moon Rocket The NASA Artemis rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building moving slowly to pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. NASA is aiming for an Aug. 29 liftoff for the lunar test flight. (AP Photo/Terry Renna) (Terry Renna)
NASA Moon Rocket The NASA Artemis rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building moving slowly to pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. NASA is aiming for an Aug. 29 liftoff for the lunar test flight. (AP Photo/Terry Renna) (Terry Renna)
NASA one step closer to historic launch of Artemis I (WFTV)
NASA Moon Rocket The NASA Artemis rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building moving slowly to pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. NASA is aiming for an Aug. 29 liftoff for the lunar test flight. (AP Photo/Terry Renna) (Terry Renna)
Artemis: What you need to know
NASA Moon Rocket The NASA Artemis rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building moving slowly to pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. NASA is aiming for an Aug. 29 liftoff for the lunar test flight. (AP Photo/Terry Renna) (Terry Renna)
NASA one step closer to historic launch of Artemis I (WFTV)
The uncrewed test flight is expected to last about 42 days and end with the Orion spacecraft landing off the coast of Baja, California.
NASA is targeting the Artemis I launch for around 8:33 a.m. on Aug. 29.
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