Part I of III: Huntsville Takes the Lead to “Rock-It” Back to the Moon

This is the first of a three-part series on the inauguration of the Artemis Lunar and Deep Space Missions Using the SLS Rocket, developed and tested here in Huntsville, and set to launch tentatively, by the end of the year from Kennedy Space Flight Center

Growing up in the shadow of the Saturn V rocket and the Apollo missions was an inspiration to the Huntsville community.For many, it meant your dreams could become reality; that there is nothing to stop you from reaching for the stars; that those dreams had the power to reshape the future and take you far beyond where you ever thought it possible to go.

Today, a new generation of space explorers is taking over. They are watching and learning and building their own bright futures right here in the Rocket City. They are the Artemis generation, who will once again lead the way as America returns to the moon, this time with the Space Launch Systems (SLS) – the most powerful rocket ever developed.

Jody Singer, Director of the Marshall Space and Flight Center, addresses the impact of the Artemis project and launch on North Alabama

This is the way Hartselle native, Jody Singer, director of Marshall Space Flight Center described her experience this week as she officially introduced the SLS and Artemis program from the podium of the National Geographic Theater at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s Davidson Center.

Artemis is NASA’s next great space exploration mission. In Greek mythology, Artemis is Apollo’s sister, a fitting choice since it will ultimately deliver the first woman and person of color, whom have yet to be determined, to the surface of the moon.

With plenty of “firsts” behind the project, SLS is the rocket that will get them there.

“Sixty years ago, we developed and tested that breathtaking Saturn V rocket that stands as a mascot for North Alabama and a beacon for everyone who passes through Huntsville,” Singer said. “For more than 60 years, Huntsville has built and tested space hardware, performed science, and supported the International Space Station. Now, SLS will soon take its place alongside Saturn V as just one more grand achievement of the American Space Program.”

Tentatively slated to launch by the end of this year or early next year from Kennedy Space Center, Singer said it isn’t just about MSFC, but it’s about Huntsville, about the state of Alabama and the North Alabama region.

“Space exploration is in our DNA,” said Singer. “Over 1,100 industry partners have been living and working in this city a long time, preparing for this event. 

“While much of the hardware has been built and tested right here at MSFC, it is still very hard cheating gravity and doing what it takes to make sure our astronauts are safe. It’s important to have a city, a state, a country, that supports us and works alongside us.”

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle addressing the impact and goals of the Artemis project.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle explained why SLS and Artemis are so important to our community, and why the moon is still a viable target.

“Currently, the SLS program has contributed $2.4 billion to Alabama’s economy; 13,000 jobs across the state; and generated more than $55 million in state and local taxes,” Mayor Battle said. “When you look at how much it is adding to our economy and then look at what it is adding to the world, you realize we are doing something no one else can do, that we’ve done it before, and we are doing it again.

“Huntsville will show the world we are ahead of everybody else in the world technology-wise. Artemis will take mankind beyond this world, to sit on other planets and other moons, and we will be able to look back at the world … a leader in a race to make our world a better place.”