Orion Moves One Step Closer to its First Crewed Flight to the Moon...

NASA / Cory Huston

Artemis II Launch Abort Sytem Stacked in the LASF (Photo Release - August 27)

The launch abort tower on NASA’s Artemis II Orion spacecraft is pictured inside the Launch Abort System Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, after teams with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program installed the tower on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.

Positioned at the top of Orion, the 44-foot-tall launch abort system is designed to carry the crew to safety in the event of an emergency during launch or ascent, with its three solid rocket motors working together to propel Orion – and astronauts inside – away from the rocket for a safe landing in the ocean, or detach from the spacecraft when it is no longer needed.

The final step to complete integration will be the installation of the ogive fairings, which are four protective panels that will shield the crew module from the severe vibrations and sounds it will experience during launch.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Cory Huston


NASA / Cory Huston