Moon mission patch beamed onto rocket assembly building: Space photo of the day

NASA has unveiled the Artemis 2 mission patch, marking a significant step in its program to return astronauts to the moon. The newly released insignia, commemorating the forthcoming lunar voyage – the first crewed mission to the moon in over five decades – was projected onto the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 4, 2025. This visual celebration highlights the progress of the Artemis program and the anticipation for this historic endeavor.

Significance of the Artemis 2 Mission Patch

The unveiling of the mission patch, while seemingly a small event, represents further advancement toward sending astronauts back to the lunar surface. This milestone follows over fifty years since the conclusion of the Apollo program. The Artemis 2 crew, consisting of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, are poised to be the first individuals to journey aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. These spacecraft components are currently undergoing assembly within the VAB.

The launch of Artemis 2 is presently slated for April 2026 or later.

Scale of the Projection

Reports indicate that the projected Artemis 2 patch is approximately the same dimensions as the adjacent painted NASA “meatball” logo, each exceeding 100 feet (30 meters) in height.

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Projecting the Artemis 2 insignia was a considerably faster and simpler process compared to applying the NASA emblem. The last time the NASA logo required repainting, it necessitated 700 gallons of red, white, and blue paint.

Rocket Assembly for Artemis 2

Within High Bay 3 of the VAB, the Space Launch System rocket’s core stage and attached solid rocket boosters are assembled. They are currently positioned atop a mobile launch platform, prepared for pre-flight evaluations. The next step involves lifting and securing the launch vehicle stage adapter onto the core stage.

Subsequently, the interim cryogenic propulsion stage, Orion stage adapter, and the Orion spacecraft designated for the Artemis 2 mission will be integrated into the stack. This integration will finalize the SLS’s launch configuration.

Accessing Further Information

Additional details regarding the Artemis 2 crew patch and the ongoing assembly of the mission’s rocket for its launch are available through official NASA channels and space news publications.