Prnewswireยท2025-10-24 17:19Core Points - NASA's Exploration Ground Systems team has successfully connected the Orion spacecraft, named Integrity, with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, marking a significant milestone for the Artemis II mission, which aims to send four astronauts around the Moon early next year [1][2][3]. Group 1: Mission Readiness - The integration of the Orion spacecraft with the SLS rocket signifies mission readiness for the Artemis II mission, which is the first crewed flight to the Moon in over 50 years [3]. - Following the connection, teams will perform electrical and data connections between Orion and SLS, along with umbilical connections from the mobile launch platform [3]. Group 2: Launch Timeline - The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than February 2026, with potential launch windows extending through April 2026, and the mission duration is expected to be 10 days [4]. Group 3: Company Overview - Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for NASA's Orion program, responsible for developing the crew module, crew module adaptor, and launch abort system, highlighting its role in advancing deep space exploration [5].