NASA rolls out the New Orleans-built rocket for the upcoming Artemis III mission today fresh on the heels of the successful Artemis II trip earlier in April. It’s the next step in a busy schedule for the Michoud Assembly Facility as NASA ramps up operations.
Deputy Program Director at Boeing, Jordan Falgoust, says it’s going to be pedal to the metal at the facility as they coordinate with their partners at Boeing and the Kennedy Space Center on projects for future missions.
“It’s exciting to be working multiple missions at the same time. We’re just excited to keep the pace up and keep rolling,” Falgoust added.
The buzz around upcoming projects doesn’t dull the joy of rollout day for their new rocket, though. “It’s a big day and we’re excited about it,” Falgoust emphasized. “It’s a really complex manufacturing process with the welding, electrical integration and more,” he went on to explain, saying the welding tools at the facility are some of the most advanced in existence.
The Orion crew capsule that will house the astronauts is also being built at the Michoud Facility, so there’s plenty to be enthusiastic about.
Falgoust says rollout day for the Artemis III is a culmination of blood, sweat, tears, and a lot of complex work for those at Michoud. “You can feel the excitement,” notes Falgoust.
The new rocket was built at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans
The new rocket was built at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans
