KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center has been stripped of its equipment in preparation for transforming it to support the launch operations for the Ares launch vehicles. The Shuttle Processing Transition Team has worked to decommission Firing Room 1, also known as FR1, for transfer to the Constellation Program. The transition includes removing all the computer systems currently in the room and installing new equipment and software. The room was recently renamed the Young/Crippen Firing Room to honor Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen in tribute to the 25th anniversary of the first space shuttle flight on April 12, 1981. It was this firing room that launched the historic flight and the crew of STS-1, Young and Crippen. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center has been stripped of its equipment in preparation for transforming it to support the launch operations for the Ares launch vehicles. The Shuttle Processing Transition Team has worked to decommission Firing Room 1, also known as FR1, for transfer to the Constellation Program. The transition includes removing all the computer systems currently in the room and installing new equipment and software. The room was recently renamed the Young/Crippen Firing Room to honor Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen in tribute to the 25th anniversary of the first space shuttle flight on April 12, 1981. It was this firing room that launched the historic flight and the crew of STS-1, Young and Crippen. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center has been stripped of its equipment in preparation for transforming it to support the launch operations for the Ares launch vehicles. The Shuttle Processing Transition Team has worked to decommission Firing Room 1, also known as FR1, for transfer to the Constellation Program. The transition includes removing all the computer systems currently in the room and installing new equipment and software. The room was recently renamed the Young/Crippen Firing Room to honor Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen in tribute to the 25th anniversary of the first space shuttle flight on April 12, 1981. It was this firing room that launched the historic flight and the crew of STS-1, Young and Crippen. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

From left, Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, participate in an Artemis II launch countdown simulation inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. Artemis II is the first crewed flight under NASA’s Artemis campaign and is another step toward missions on the lunar surface and helping the agency prepare for future human missions to Mars.

Members of the Artemis launch team participate in an Artemis II launch countdown simulation inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. Artemis II is the first crewed flight under NASA’s Artemis campaign and is another step toward missions on the lunar surface and helping the agency prepare for future human missions to Mars.

Members of the Artemis launch team participate in an Artemis II launch countdown simulation inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. Artemis II is the first crewed flight under NASA’s Artemis campaign and is another step toward missions on the lunar surface and helping the agency prepare for future human missions to Mars.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – New windows are installed in the Launch Control Center's Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The firing room will support the future Ares rocket launches as part of NASA's Constellation Program. Future astronauts will ride to orbit on Ares I, launched from Kennedy's Launch Pad 39B. The Launch Control Center firing rooms face the launch pads. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A technician works at installing a new window in the Launch Control Center's Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The firing room will support the future Ares rocket launches as part of NASA's Constellation Program. Future astronauts will ride to orbit on Ares I, launched from Kennedy's Launch Pad 39B. The Launch Control Center firing rooms face the launch pads. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – New windows are installed in the Launch Control Center's Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The firing room will support the future Ares rocket launches as part of NASA's Constellation Program. Future astronauts will ride to orbit on Ares I, launched from Kennedy's Launch Pad 39B. The Launch Control Center firing rooms face the launch pads. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

Artemis launch team members are seen in Firing Room 1 of NASA Kennedy's Launch Control Center in Florida for an Artemis III cryogenic propellant loading simulation on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Artemis launch project engineers Aaron Sherman (left) Tony Bartolone (center), and Anton Kiriwas, senior technical integration manager, Exploration Ground Systems Program, are seen participating in the Artemis III cryogenic propellant loading launch simulation on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Joshua Jones, Artemis cryogenics manager, participates in the Artemis III cryogenic propellant loading launch simulation on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Artemis launch team members are seen in Firing Room 1 of NASA Kennedy's Launch Control Center in Florida for an Artemis III cryogenic propellant loading simulation on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, remodeling for launches of future human spaceflight vehicles takes place in the Launch Control Center's Young-Crippen Firing Room. Known as Firing Room 1 in the Apollo era, it was re-named as a tribute to the Space Shuttle Program's first crewed mission, STS-1, which was flown by Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen in April 1981. The firing room most recently was set up to support the Ares I-X flight test in Oct. 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, remodeling for launches of future human spaceflight vehicles takes place in the Launch Control Center's Young-Crippen Firing Room. Known as Firing Room 1 in the Apollo era, it was re-named as a tribute to the Space Shuttle Program's first crewed mission, STS-1, which was flown by Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen in April 1981. The firing room most recently was set up to support the Ares I-X flight test in Oct. 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, remodeling for launches of future human spaceflight vehicles takes place in the Launch Control Center's Young-Crippen Firing Room. Known as Firing Room 1 in the Apollo era, it was re-named as a tribute to the Space Shuttle Program's first crewed mission, STS-1, which was flown by Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen in April 1981. The firing room most recently was set up to support the Ares I-X flight test in Oct. 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, remodeling for launches of future human spaceflight vehicles takes place in the Launch Control Center's Young-Crippen Firing Room. Known as Firing Room 1 in the Apollo era, it was re-named as a tribute to the Space Shuttle Program's first crewed mission, STS-1, which was flown by Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen in April 1981. The firing room most recently was set up to support the Ares I-X flight test in Oct. 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, rewiring of consoles and remodeling for launches of future human spaceflight vehicles take place in the Launch Control Center's Young-Crippen Firing Room. Known as Firing Room 1 in the Apollo era, it was re-named as a tribute to the Space Shuttle Program's first crewed mission, STS-1, which was flown by Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen in April 1981. The firing room most recently was set up to support the Ares I-X flight test in Oct. 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, rewiring and remodeling for launches of future human spaceflight vehicles take place in the Launch Control Center's Young-Crippen Firing Room. Known as Firing Room 1 in the Apollo era, it was re-named as a tribute to the Space Shuttle Program's first crewed mission, STS-1, which was flown by Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen in April 1981. The firing room most recently was set up to support the Ares I-X flight test in Oct. 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Members of the Artemis I launch team, including personnel with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) and contractor Jacobs, monitor activities during the ninth formal terminal countdown simulation inside Firing Room 2 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 24, 2021. This is part of a series of simulations to help the team prepare for the launch of Artemis I, the uncrewed first flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.

Chief of the Test, Launch and Recovery Operations Branch within the Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) Program Jeremy Graeber monitors activities during the ninth formal terminal countdown simulation inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 24, 2021. Members of the Artemis I launch team include personnel with EGS and contractor Jacobs. This is part of a series of simulations to help the team prepare for the launch of Artemis I, the uncrewed first flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.

Members of the Artemis I launch team, including personnel with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) and contractor Jacobs, monitor activities during the ninth formal terminal countdown simulation inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 24, 2021. This is part of a series of simulations to help the team prepare for the launch of Artemis I, the uncrewed first flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.

Members of the Artemis I launch team, including personnel with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) and contractor Jacobs, monitor activities during the ninth formal terminal countdown simulation inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 24, 2021. This is part of a series of simulations to help the team prepare for the launch of Artemis I, the uncrewed first flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.

Members of the Artemis I launch team, including personnel with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) and contractor Jacobs, monitor activities during the ninth formal terminal countdown simulation inside Firing Room 2 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 24, 2021. This is part of a series of simulations to help the team prepare for the launch of Artemis I, the uncrewed first flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.

Chief of the Test, Launch and Recovery Operations Branch within the Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) Program Jeremy Graeber, (left) and Artemis I Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson (right), along with members of the Artemis I launch team, including personnel with EGS and contractor Jacobs, monitor activities during the ninth formal terminal countdown simulation inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 24, 2021. This is part of a series of simulations to help the team prepare for the launch of Artemis I, the uncrewed first flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.

Artemis I Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson monitors activities during the ninth formal terminal countdown simulation inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 24, 2021. Members of the Artemis I launch team include personnel with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) and contractor Jacobs. This is part of a series of simulations to help the team prepare for the launch of Artemis I, the uncrewed first flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.

Members of the Artemis I launch team, including personnel with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) and contractor Jacobs, monitor activities during the ninth formal terminal countdown simulation inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 24, 2021. This is part of a series of simulations to help the team prepare for the launch of Artemis I, the uncrewed first flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.

Artemis I launch team member Joshua Jones monitors activities during the ninth formal terminal countdown simulation inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 24, 2021. The Artemis I launch team includes personnel with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) and contractor Jacobs. This is part of a series of simulations to help the team prepare for the launch of Artemis I, the uncrewed first flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.

An Artemis launch team member participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Maria Zapata, test conductor, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, launch director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Maria Zapata, test conductor, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, launch director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Jeremy Graeber, assistant launch director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

An Artemis launch team member participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

An Artemis launch team member participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Jeremy Graeber, assistant launch director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

An Artemis launch team member participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Jeff Spaulding, senior NASA test director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Vanessa Stroh, project engineer, Exploration Ground Systems Program, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

From left to right, Dmitriy Bank, NASA test director, and Paul Sierpinski, Artemis assistant landing and recovery director, participate in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Sierra Sewdass, test conductor, participates in the Artemis III terminal countdown simulation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, inside Firing Room 1 of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked the first simulation the launch team performed ahead of Artemis III.

Member of the 2017 class of astronaut candidates are in Firing Room 1 inside the Launch Control Center during a familiarization tour at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The candidates toured center facilities, including the Vehicle Assembly Building, Launch Pad 39B, the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building high bay and the Space Station Processing Facility. They also toured Boeing's Commercial Crew and Cargo Facility, United Launch Alliance's Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and SpaceX's Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy. The candidates will spend about two years getting to know the space station systems and learning how to spacewalk, speak Russian, control the International Space Station's robotic arm and fly T-38s, before they're eligible to be assigned to a mission.