NASA Simulations Improve Artemis II Launch Environment0

• Aeronautics, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, Ames Research Center, Artemis 2, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, Flight Innovation, SCIENCE, Space Launch System (SLS), Transformational Tools Technologies, Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program
• March 20, 2026

Airflow around rockets as they travel from Earth into space can have a dramatic impact on a mission, which is why NASA used advanced simulations to provide the best possible launch conditions for the Artemis II test flight around the Moon.  To better understand the Artemis Space Launch System (SLS) rocket’s flight environment, engineers turned to a NASA-developed tool called the Launch, Ascent, and Vehicle Aerodynamics