Artemis II rocket

Artist impression of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the Artemis II mission. At the top of the rocket, behind the NASA and ESA logos, is the Orion spacecraft with its European Service Module - you can see a cutaway showing Orion here. During launch, Orion is protected behind the fairings that bear the logos.

The SLS rocket (in its Block 1 configuration used for the first three Artemis missions) is 98 metres high, just a bit smaller than the Saturn V rocket that brought astronauts to the Moon during the Apollo missions, which is 110 metres high.

The European Service Module is the powerhouse of the Orion spacecraft that will ferry astronauts towards the Moon and back during Artemis II. Our module provides life support for the astronauts - air, water, and a comfortable temperature - as well as electricity with its four solar arrays and propulsion through space with its 33 engines.

Built by European industry led by ESA, the European Service Module is assembled by prime contractor Airbus in Bremen, Germany, with contributions from more than 20 companies across 10 European countries.