NASA's Artemis 1 rocket completes prelaunch rollout

Aug. 17 (UPI) -- NASA's Space Launch System rocket completed its rollout to the launch pad Wednesday morning at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, ahead of its uncrewed flight later this month.

After a nearly 10-hour journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building, the Artemis I rocket arrived at Launch Complex 39B at 7:30 a.m., NASA said.

The space agency livestreamed the entire rollout. Now, work begins on ensuring a smooth launch, set for Aug. 29.

"In the coming days, engineers and technicians will configure systems at the pad for launch," NASA said in a statement.

"Teams have worked to refine operations and procedures and have incorporated lessons learned from the wet dress rehearsal test campaign and have updated the launch timeline accordingly," the agency said.

Artemis I, will be the first launch of the Space Launch System rocket, which is the most powerful rocket in the world.

The current plan is for astronauts to make the same trip in 2024 on Artemis II, and then once again set foot on the moon in 2025 aboard Artemis III.

Artemis I will remain in space for 42 days before returning to Earth.