NASA’s Artemis Mobile Launchers

E X P L O R A T I O N G R O U N D S Y S T E M S

Mobile Launcher 1 (SLS Block 1 Crew)

Artemis I – Artemis II – Artemis III

Mobile Launcher 2 (SLS Block 1B Crew)

Artemis IV & Beyond

The crew access 

arm and Orion 

service module 

umbilical are 

located 40 feet 

higher on mobile 

launcher 2.

Approx. 370 ft.

Approx. 390 ft.

NASA’s mobile launchers are designed to send the Space Launch System rocket, Orion spacecraft, astronauts, and large 

payloads to the Moon in a single launch. With the new universal stage adapter and enhanced exploration upper stage on 

SLS beginning with Artemis IV, NASA’s mobile launcher 2 will launch 40% more payload to the Moon compared to mobile 

launcher 1, which launches the SLS Block 1.

The new SLS 

universal stage 

adapter provides 

increased payload 

capacity. 

The more powerful 

SLS exploration 

upper stage

requires a new 

umbilical on mobile 

launcher 2 along 

with enhanced 

propellant loading 

capabilities.
Starting with the Artemis IV mission, NASA will use a new mobile 

launcher to continue the effort to enable humans to live and work on the 

lunar surface. Mobile launcher 2 (ML2) will allow the agency to send 

heavier, increasingly complex missions to the Moon. The enhanced 

capabilities of ML2 will support the Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1B 

configurations. These larger Artemis rockets will provide the power 

needed to send astronauts and heavy cargo to the lunar surface.

A Bold Mission Calls for Big Rocket

As Artemis missions evolve, so must our ground support equipment. The 

powerful SLS Block 1B lifts more than double the mass to trans-lunar 

injection as compared to current launch vehicles and features a more 

powerful upper stage that can send both crew and large payloads to 

space for our most ambitious missions ever attempted. These heavy 

cargo missions demand a larger and more robust mobile launcher to 

support SLS prior to launch and withstand the tremendous power of such 

a large rocket.

What’s New with ML2?

NASA engineers implemented lessons learned from the construction of 

mobile launcher 1 and the launch of Artemis I to make improvements to 

the next generation mobile launcher. These improvements will enable 

ML2 to better withstand the immense launch power of SLS Block 1B. 

Structurally, ML2 will feature a wider cross-section on the launch tower to 

better protect equipment and an increased diameter on piping and flow 

nozzles of the ignition overpressure sound suppression system for a 

better flow of water to launch platform and flame hole. 

New technology includes: a self-contained ground cooling system 

providing avionics cooling for Orion, reducing reliance on ground support 

equipment; an improved electrical system; and a new payload 

accommodations room enabling customers to remotely communicate with 

payloads. 

NASA’s Artemis Mobile Launchers

E X P L O R A T I O N G R O U N D S Y S T E M S

NASA’s Space Launch System rocket atop mobile launcher 1 on Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy 

Space Center in Florida, prior to the launch of Artemis I. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Mobile launcher 2

Total height above ground: 402 ft

Tower: 40 x 50 ft square, about 377 ft tall

Approximate weight: 12.4 million lbs

Mobile Launcher by the Numbers:

Mobile launcher 1

Total height above ground: 380 ft

Tower: 40 ft square, about 355 ft tall

Approximate weight: 10.5 million lbs