How to Watch the Artemis I Moon Launch

It’s a big time for space travel, with NASA set to send a massive rocket hurtling into orbit around the moon. The Artemis I was originally scheduled to launch on Monday, August 29, however, engine issues meant the mission was unable to go ahead. We’ve since had updates on when NASA will re-attempt launch, and yes, you can still watch the blast-off live from the comfort of your own home.

In the interim, here is everything you need to know about the Artemis I mission.

What’s special about the Artemis I?

The Artemis I is the first test of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft. It’s the most powerful rocket to launch from the Kennedy Space Centre since the Saturn V in 1973.

While an unmanned launch may seem less exciting, it’s actually what NASA considers a dress rehearsal for two future crewed missions: the Artemis 2 flight test in 2024 and the Artemis 3 lunar landing in 2025.

The total Artemis I mission duration is expected to be anywhere from 26 to 42 days. Here’s how to catch all of the excitement.

How to watch the Artemis I launch

As mentioned above, the original launch was set for Monday, August 29 but this did not go ahead as planned.

Safety is always first. Following today’s #Artemis I launch attempt, @NASAArtemis teams are working through an issue with engine number 3, and expect to give a news briefing later today. Stay tuned for broadcast details. https://t.co/z1RgZwQkWS pic.twitter.com/BxpIOGyId9

— NASA (@NASA) August 29, 2022

The new launch date has been set for September 3 at 2:17 pm E.T, which translates to September 4 at 4:00 am AEST.

We’re now targeting Saturday, Sept. 3 for the launch of the #Artemis I flight test around the Moon. The two-hour launch window opens at 2:17 p.m. ET (18:17 UTC). pic.twitter.com/MxwdcKHGdd

— NASA (@NASA) August 30, 2022

The live broadcast will be available on NASA’s website as well as NASA TV and NASA’s mobile app. Launch coverage will also stream on Facebook, Twitch, YouTube, and NASA’s UHD channel. You can also catch the countdown audio from the launch control commentator 15 minutes ahead of launch time by calling 844-467-4685 and entering the passcode 687630.

Here’s a rundown of what launch day will probably look like (AEST):

• 2:00 pm: Live coverage of tanking (fuelling) operations (available on NASA TV)
• 8:30 pm: Full launch coverage begins in Spanish
• 9:30 pm: Launch coverage begins in English
• 10:33 pm: Liftoff
• 2:00 am (Tuesday): Post-launch press conference with a NASA administrator and staff
• 6:00 am: Coverage of the first trajectory burn out of Earth’s orbit
• 7:30 am: First views of Earth from the Orion

Note that the post-launch schedule is subject to change depending on the actual time of launch, which could go as late as 12:33 a.m.

How to watch the Artemis I pre-launch briefings

If you just can’t wait until launch to tune in, there have been a handful of events leading up to take-off that have been streamed on NASA TV.

There’s also already a live stream of the rocket on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

This article has been updated since its original publish date.