[WATCH] NASA SLS Will Go to Launchpad Earlier! Schedule, Trip Duration, and Other Details

The NASA SLS (Space Launch System) is expected to roll out from the international space agency's giant building to its official launchpad earlier than expected.

Originally, the rollout of the giant rocket was scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 18. But, NASA decided to change this date to Tuesday, Aug. 16.

The international aerospace union said that the departure of the giant rocket from the building it was assembled will start as early as 9:00 p.m. ET.

[WATCH] NASA SLS Will Go to Launchpad Earlier!

According to The Verge's latest report, the trip of NASA SLS will be only four-mile long.

But, because of its weight, it will take almost 11 hours before it can reach launch pad 39B, which is located at the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex.

The schedule change clearly shows that NASA is now on track to debut its giant Space Launch System rocket. This is a major enhancement since SLS already faced multiple delays ever since its development started a decade ago.

After the NASA SLS spacecraft reaches its launchpad destination, the space agency will start preparing it so that the rocket can blast off as early as Aug. 29.

The Space Launch System will send the Orion capsule into the moon's orbit. This mission is expected to last between 39 and 42 days.

However, no astronauts will be included in the upcoming launch as it will serve as a test run to check if the SLS rocket can safely transport humans in its future space endeavors.

If you want to see the SLS rollout, you can watch the official NASA coverage below.

Why NASA SLS is Important

The official National Aeronautics and Space Administration SLS document explained that the giant Space Launch System can provide an entirely new human exploration capabilities.

"The Space Launch System will give the nation a safe, affordable and sustainable means of reaching beyond our current limits and open new doors of discovery from the unique vantage point of space," said the international space union.

NASA added that once the SLS rocket's tests are completed, it will carry the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, science experiments, equipment, and other important cargos into orbit.

You can visit this link to see further details about the NASA SLS.

Meanwhile, the NASA James Webb Space Telescope now invites people to name 20 exoplanets.

On the other hand, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope was able to spot a red supergiant star recovering from a serious explosion.

For more news updates about NASA and its other space missions, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

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Written by: Griffin Davis