The Artemis I mission is underway as Orion approaches the Moon for a close lunar flyby before going into distant retrograde orbit. The first photos from NASA’s Orion spacecraft have started to come in, giving us spectacular views of Earth.
We also have new Artemis I photos from the launch pad to share. Cosmic Chicago placed a remote camera approximately 300 feet from the launch pad to capture images as Artemis I launched to the Moon.
Just seconds after Solid Rocket Booster ignition 3 million pounds of thrust are produced to lift the rocket off the launchpad. 400,000 gallons of water is released onto the pad to protect it from thermal and acoustic energy. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoGiant plumes of steam rise from the launch pad. A sound suppression system releases water onto the launchpad which is then quickly converted to the steam we see. SLS produces sound in the 176 dB range, but this system cuts that sound down, keeping the pad safe. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoSLS rises from the launch pad, freed from the mobile launch tower where it has been awaiting launch. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoSLS has now cleared the launch tower and is traveling almost 80 mph. Flames now engulf the base of the mobile launch tower. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoA column of fire roars out of the four RS-25 engines as SLS launches into the night sky. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoSpace Launch System rises over launch pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center to start the Artemis I mission. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoSLS disappears from the launch pad, a column of fire and smoke trailing behind. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoAfter the launch of SLS, all that remains at Launch Pad 39-B are plumes of smoke and dust. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic ChicagoView from a camera mounted on SLS looking back at the launch pad. The area in red indicates the location of our remote camera. Photo: NASA
