Artemis III Crew Tours Kennedy Space Center’s Vehicle Assembly Building Ahead of Moon Mission

NASA astronauts Randy Bresnik, Andre Douglas, Frank Rubio, and Bob Hines, alongside European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Luca Parmitano, conducted a high-profile visit to NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on September 2, 2026. The crew inspected the integration of solid rocket boosters in High Bay 3, a critical milestone in preparing the Space Launch System (SLS) for the Artemis III mission—the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17. Their presence underscored the collaborative effort between NASA and international partners like ESA, essential for deep space exploration. The visit highlighted the advanced state of SLS and Orion spacecraft assembly, with engineers working toward a 2028 launch window. Bresnik, a veteran of multiple ISS missions, emphasized the significance of this phase: 'This is where history is built.' Parmitano, who previously commanded the ISS, noted the emotional weight of standing in the same building that once housed Saturn V rockets. Together, the team reviewed progress on the core stage and booster systems, ensuring readiness for upcoming tests. With Artemis III aiming to land astronauts near the Moon’s South Pole—specifically in the region of the Lunar Gateway’s planned orbit—this visit marks a pivotal step in humanity’s return to the lunar surface. The mission’s success hinges on flawless integration of hardware and rigorous crew training. As testing continues through 2027, the world watches closely: this isn’t just a mission—it’s a new chapter in space exploration.