After a series of tests, NASA says its Space Launch System (SLS) moon rocket will be ready to launch on August 29, 2022.

This tentative date is the first of several possible dates in Launch Periods 25 and 26.

NASA has listed September 2nd and 5th as possible backup dates before entering into LP-26 on September 19.

NASA prefers the LP-25 window because it has more backup possible launch dates and times and would allow approximately 40 day missions for the capsule.

If t he August 29th launch happens, the Orion capsule would return to Earth 42 days later on October 10.

This unmanned test mission would pave the way for a 2024 Artemis 2 launch sending 4 astronauts around the moon and then eventually a 2025 or 2026 Artemis 3 mission that would land near the moon’s south pole with a crew that would consist of the first woman and first person of color to walk on the moon.

NASA would then begin a series of periodic missions to explore the moon’s south pole including the study of craters and areas that receive little to no sunlight to study ice deposits.

Hear more about the launch plans on this week’s Made of Stars Podcast