by NASA’s massive Artemis 1 rocket is counting down to a second launch attempt to return to the moon, and when it does, you can watch the historic mission live online for free.
The Artemis 1 mission is scheduled to launch at the earliest Wednesday, November 16 at 1:04 am EST (0604 GMT) from Pad 39B of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
NASA will host a series of webcasts leading up to the uncrewed launch of Artemis 1, which will mark the first test flight of the massive Space Launch System aboard the Orion spacecraft. The opening day webcast will feature special guests including actors Chris Evans, Jack Black and Keke Palmer.
Related: NASA’s Artemis 1 moon mission: Live updates
The last time a rocket this powerful thundered off a KSC pad was in 1973 when a Saturn V moon rocket launched Skylab into orbit, marking the end of the Apollo era, so this month’s event should be quite the spectacle.
Related: NASA’s Artemis 1 moon mission: Live updates
According to NASA (opens in new tab), the space agency will provide comprehensive coverage of pre-launch, launch and post-launch activities for Artemis I when it’s time to light the candle. This landmark unmanned glass rehearsal around the moon will clear the path for a manned lunar flight test with Artemis 2 in 2024 and an actual lunar landing by 2025 as part of Artemis 3.
Those lucky enough to take part in the Artemis 1 spectacle in Florida will experience the shock and awe of 8.8 million pounds of gravity-defying thrust propelling the sleek SLS rocket and Orion space capsule into the skies. For the rest of us, NASA has just released its free live stream schedule to watch the mission from the safety and comfort of our homes.
Live event coverage will be streamed on Space.com courtesy of NASA Television, the NASA mobile app (opens in new tab)and the organization’s official website (opens in new tab)with pre-launch activities also broadcast.
Sure, it might not offer the same epic experience that Earth’s creepy will, but it’s the next best thing, and you don’t have to worry about the heat, parking hassles, or huge crowds.
On opening day, a live broadcast of the festivities includes celebrity appearances by Jack Black, Chris Evans and Keke Palmer, as well as a patriotic rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” courtesy of Josh Groban and Herbie Hancock. Next we will hear “America the Beautiful” performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
Here’s a rundown of the upcoming launch activities leading up to liftoff.
Sunday, November 13: 7 p.m. ET – Artemis 1 launch readiness update
On Sunday, November 13NASA will preview the launch of Artemis 1 with a pre-launch press conference at the L-2 site approximately 48 hours before the scheduled liftoff.
The press conference will start at 7 p.m. EST (0000 GMT), with mission managers reporting whether the Artemis 1 moon rocket is ready to fly again. It will come after a daylong meeting of the Mission Management Team. During the briefing they will speak:
- Bill Nelson, NASA administrator
- Mike Sarafin, Artemis mission manager, NASA Headquarters
- Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch Director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, Kennedy
- Emily Nelson, NASA flight director Johnson
- Melody Lovin, meteorologist, US Space Launch Delta 45
Monday, November 14: 12 p.m. ET – Artemis 1 prelaunch briefing
NASA will hold a media briefing on this Monday, November 14, at 12 p.m. EST (1700 GMT) to check the launch countdown status of the Artemis 1 moon rocket.
During this briefing they will speak:
- Jeremy Parsons, Associate Program Director for Earth Exploration Systems, NASA Kennedy
- Melody Lovin, meteorologist, US Space Launch Delta 45
Tuesday, November 15: 3:30 p.m. ET – Artemis 1 feed coverage begins
The third launch attempt for NASA’s Artemis 1 moon mission will actually begin on Tuesday, Nov. 15, when NASA begins fueling the Space Launch System rocket. This feeding process is expected to start on 3:30 p.m. EST (2030 GMT).
The SLS rocket’s core stage can hold about 730,000 gallons of supercooled liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, so loading this propellant will take up to 3 or 4 hours.
There’s a critical moment to watch for fueling: the early cool-down of the four main engines on the SLS rocket, which is crucial for the launch to proceed. NASA successfully tested this step in a feed test in September.
Tuesday, November 15: 10:30 PM ET – Complete Artemis 1 launch coverage
NASA’s full launch coverage of Artemis 1 will resume on November 15 at 10:30 p.m. EST (0330 GMT). This portion of the agency’s webcast will be in English.
“The coverage will continue through interlunar injection and spacecraft separation, setting Orion on its way to the Moon,” NASA wrote in a description.
Wednesday, November 16: 12 p.m. ET – Artemis 1 Spanish broadcast
One hour before launch, NASA will begin its Spanish webcast to document the Artemis 1 mission. It is scheduled to launch on 12 am EST (05:00 GMT).
The webcast will run until launch and the first 15 minutes of the mission after liftoff. After launch, you can receive Spanish-language updates about Artemis 1 through NASA en Español’s social media channels.
Wednesday, November 16: 1:04 am ET – Artemis 1 Liftoff
This is the moment of truth for NASA’s Artemis 1 mission: the first launch window for the Space Launch System rocket in 1:04 am EST (0604 GMT).
NASA actually has a two-hour window to try to launch the SLS booster, so liftoff could happen anytime between 1:04 am to 3:04 am EST (0604-0804 GMT)weather and technical systems that allow it.
Wednesday, November 16: 4 a.m. ET – Artemis 1 after the update begins
After the launch, NASA will hold a post-launch press conference, which is scheduled for no earlier than 1 hour after the end of the launch broadcast. NASA is currently targeting this update for 4 a.m. EST (0900 GMT) starting time for this update, but that could change as the day progresses.
Below are the NASA officials scheduled to speak at the briefing.
- Bill Nelson, NASA administrator
- Mike Sarafin, Artemis mission manager, NASA Headquarters
- Mike Bolger, Exploration Ground Systems Program Manager, Kennedy
- John Honeycutt, Space Launch System program manager, Marshall
- Howard Hu, Orion program manager, NASA Johnson Space Center
- Emily Nelson, flight director, Johnson
November 16: 8:30 am ET – Orion Orbit Burn
If all goes well with the launch, NASA will host a webcast to highlight the first orbital maneuver to send the Artemis 1 Orion mission beyond Earth orbit and to the Moon.
The timing of this coverage may change depending on the launch time of the Artemis 1 mission, but is currently set for 8:30 am EST (1330 GMT).
November 16: 10 a.m. ET – Orion view of Earth
The final major event of Artemis 1’s launch day is when the Orion spacecraft is expected to transmit its first views of Earth from space. This is planned for 10 am. EST (15:00 GMT) on November 16.
Like the exit orbit maneuver, the timing of this broadcast is subject to change depending on the exact launch time and the health of the Orion spacecraft.
Previous updates Artemis 1
NASA’s Artemis 1 mission has been delayed for months and saw two launch attempts on August 29 and September 3 that failed due to technical problems and weather conditions. For this latest campaign targeting a November 16 launch, NASA held two updates on the status of the Artemis 1 vehicle and the Orion spacecraft.
Here is an overview of these updates/
November 3: Artemis 1 pre-release update
On November 3, NASA held a press conference to discuss plans to launch the Artemis 1 moon rocket on November 3. You can listen to a replay above.
Friday, November 11: NASA Artemis 1 post-storm update
On Friday, November 11, Jim Free, NASA’s associate administrator for exploration systems development, held a teleconference to update the public on the status of the Artemis 1 rocket following Tropical Storm Nicole.
Free detailed repair work and other activities to ensure that the Artemis 1 rocket will be ready to launch on November 16.
For a full recap of all the conversations and activities surrounding the exciting Artemis 1 flight, see NASA’s detailed coverage schedule (opens in new tab).
Whether you’re having fun with a sweet spot to watch Artemis 1 or watching it through NASA’s live streaming options, it’s destined to be the fireworks show of the year!
