Nasa’s top official says the rocket expected to power the next mission to the moon is about 90% complete.
Nasa administrator Jim Bridenstine spoke during a visit to a facility in New Orleans where the core stage is being built.
In the months to come, the engine section will be attached to the rest of the core section. If all goes well, it will power the Artemis 1 test flight in 2020.
Plans call for the rocket to carry a crewless Orion capsule in a double loop around the moon during 25-and-a-half days in flight.
Named for the mythological Greek Moon goddess and twin of Apollo, #Artemis will carry humanity back to the Moon — this time, for good — before we launch to Mars and to the unexplored beyond. Get the latest updates and more, straight to your inbox: https://t.co/jdchdaUOCL pic.twitter.com/vmop0BML2e
— NASA (@NASA) August 13, 2019
Future missions are expected to carry US astronauts, including the first female astronaut to land on the moon.
