Our First Views of NASA’s Long-Awaited Megarocket, Fully Stacked and on the Launch Pad

SLS on the move

NASA’s Moon rocket en route to the launch pad. Photo: NASA/Kim Shiflett

NASA’s Crawler-Transporter 2 (CT-2) did the heavy lifting of the heavy-lift rocket, traveling 4 miles to the launch pad. The crawler moves at less than a mile per hour and has a loading capacity of 18 million pounds.

Previous Next

One Day, Three Big Swings: NASA’s Bold New Plans for the Moon, Mars, and Earth Orbit

It's goodbye to Lunar Gateway and hello to Moon base.

Space & Spaceflight Passant Rabie Mar 25

An illustration of an astronaut kneeling on the lunar surface and letting Moon dust fall through their fingers

Will China Beat the US Back to the Moon?

NASA is under enormous pressure to return astronauts to the Moon before China achieves its first crewed landing, but experts question whether the Artemis program can overcome delays, technical hurdles, and budget constraints.

Space & Spaceflight Ellyn Lapointe Mar 19

Musk and Bezos Moon Landers Could Leave Artemis Astronauts Stranded, NASA Watchdog Warns

A NASA watchdog has issued a damning report on the Human Landing System program, finding serious problems with its progress, oversight, and testing.

Space & Spaceflight Ellyn Lapointe Mar 11

A rendering of Boeing's EUS upper stage for SLS in flight above the Earth

Boeing’s Contribution to NASA’s Moon Program Just Took a Major Hit

A pending contractor switchup marks another blow to Boeing, which is struggling to prove itself as a reliable strategic partner to NASA.

Space & Spaceflight Ellyn Lapointe Mar 5

The Billionaire Space Race Is Really Heating Up

Just days after SpaceX pivoted to the Moon, Blue Origin’s new lunar strategy has come to light.

Space & Spaceflight Ellyn Lapointe Feb 13

Gizmodo’s Guide to the Coolest Space Missions of 2026

Mark your calendars.

Space & Spaceflight Ellyn Lapointe Dec 30