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 SLS (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 will allow the agency to send heavier, 

increasingly complex missions to the Moon. The enhanced capabilities of 

the new mobile launcher will support SLS Block 1B configurations. These 

larger Artemis rockets will provide the power needed to send astronauts 

and heavy cargo to the Moon.

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 the Moon in a 

single launch as compared to current rockets 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 Mobile Launcher 2?

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 

mobile launcher 2 to better withstand the immense launch power of SLS 

Block 1B. 

Structurally, the new mobile launcher 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