NASA had to postpone the launch of Artemis 1 by almost an hour, but it was the only time the mission was delayed. SLS was launched at 1:50 a.m. Eastern time. A few minutes later, the Orion capsule successfully deployed its solar arrays, and the core stage’s engines were turned off so it could break free and fall into the Atlantic Ocean. The rocket’s second stage will then ignite its engine, sending Orion on a course towards the Moon. It will also eventually separate, allowing the crew vehicle to travel around the Moon for four weeks before returning to Earth. The capsule will drop ten CubeSats along the trip to conduct their own scientific experiments that will aid future deep space missions.
