Pleiades NEO 3 Captures SLS in Stunning Detail: NASA’s Lunar Ambitions Aligned

The Pleiades NEO 3 remote sensing satellite from Airbus has captured detailed images of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II mission as it rolled out to the launch pad.

The imaging was conducted from orbit with a resolution of up to 30 cm, enabling a nearly aerial view of key elements of the rocket and spaceport infrastructure.

The frames captured several iconic Kennedy Space Center landmarks at once. Alongside the SLS, the satellite’s lens also captured launch complexes LC-39A and LC-39B-pads with a rich history, used since the times of the Apollo and Shuttle programs, and today, activated in new lunar missions.

Upon arrival at the launch pad, final preparations began, including a series of tests and launch rehearsals. Engineers are finalizing solutions to issues identified in recent weeks, such as replacing the flight termination system cable, fixing a faulty Orion hatch sealing valve, and addressing leaks in the ground oxygen supply equipment. Every component undergoes repeated checks before the next stage. On the rocket, astronauts plan a 10-day journey around the Moon and back. If the latest tests proceed smoothly, Artemis II is anticipated to launch later this year, which aligns with NASA’s ongoing commitment to returning humans to the lunar surface in the near future.