Orion and European Service Module in Artemis II rocket

Artist impression of the top of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the Artemis II mission, with a cutaway showing the Orion spacecraft and its European Service Module at the top. During launch, Orion is protected behind the fairings that bear the NASA and ESA logos. After launch, these fairings are ejected.

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.