Photos of Firing Room 1 inside the Launch Control Center (LCC) at Kennedy Space Center.

Photos of Firing Room 1 inside the Launch Control Center (LCC) at Kennedy Space Center.

Photos of Firing Room 1 inside the Launch Control Center (LCC) at Kennedy Space Center.

Photos of Firing Room 1 inside the Launch Control Center (LCC) at Kennedy Space Center.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Apollo-era and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era and Artemis-1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon; Apollo-era and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era and Artemis-1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era and Artemis-1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era and Artemis-1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era and Artemis-1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Firing Room 1, also known as the Young-Crippen Firing Room, has been outfitted with computer, communications and networking systems to host rockets and spacecraft that are currently under development. The firing room is where the launch of rockets and spacecraft are controlled at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Flight controllers also monitor processing and preparations of launch vehicles from the firing room. There are four firing rooms inside the Launch Control Center at Kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Dmitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Firing Room 1, also known as the Young-Crippen Firing Room, has been outfitted with computer, communications and networking systems to host rockets and spacecraft that are currently under development. The firing room is where the launch of rockets and spacecraft are controlled at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Flight controllers also monitor processing and preparations of launch vehicles from the firing room. There are four firing rooms inside the Launch Control Center at Kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Dmitri Gerondidakis

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson stands in Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Floirda. Apollo 11 and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in the firing room.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson stands in Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Floirda. Apollo 11 and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in the firing room.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon; Apollo launch team member JoAnn Morgan, right, talks with a fellow team member in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Morgan was the only female in the firing room during Apollo 11 launch countdown activities.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. At right is Bob Sieck, Apollo launch team member and former space shuttle launch director.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era launch team member JoAnn Morgan visits Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Morgan was the only female in the firing room during Apollo 11 launch countdown activites. Apollo 11 launched on a Saturn V rocket at 9:32 a.m. on July 16, 1969.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Apollo-era launch team member JoAnn Morgan, left, talks with an Artemis 1 launch team member in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Morgan was the only female launch team member in the firing room during Apollo 11 launch countdown activities.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era and Artemis 1 workers gathered together in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From left, are Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Apollo-era launch team member Carl Green, and Tiffany Lindsley Wardlow, strategic communications specialist in Exploration Ground Systems.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Jessica Parsons, right, technical assistant to the Artemis 1 launch director, talks with a member of the Apollo 11 launch team in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana speaks to launch team members from Apollo 11 and the current launch team for Artemis 1 in Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, left, talks with an Apollo 11 launch team member and family in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, astronaut Michael Collins speaks to launch team members from Apollo 11 and the current launch team for Artemis 1 in Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, left, talks with Apollo-era launch team member JoAnn Morgan in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Morgan was the only woman in the firing room during Apollo 11 countdown activities. Blackwell-Thompson is the first female launch director. Apollo 11 launched atop the Saturn V rocket at 9:32 a.m. on July 16, 1969.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Apollo-era and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, modifications to Firing Room 3 in the Launch Control Center, or LCC, continue. Wiring and conduits below the floor have been upgraded. The legacy flooring was removed and new flooring has been installed. Some of the new launch control work stations are being positioned for installation in the room. Firing Rooms inside the LCC are being upgraded by the Ground System Development and Operations Program at Kennedy to support the processing and launch of multiple types of rockets and spacecraft, whether they are government or commercial models. Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39 is transitioning to support multiple users with the Firing Rooms being modified to be more generic in nature for upcoming programs. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director, Exploration Ground Systems at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, participates in the Artemis II Terminal Count Simulation #11 inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. Four astronauts will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration through Artemis.

Members of the Artemis launch team participate in the Artemis II Terminal Count Simulation #11 inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. Four astronauts will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration through Artemis.

Members of the Artemis launch team participate in the Artemis II Terminal Count Simulation #11 inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. Four astronauts will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration through Artemis.

Mari Forrestel, Artemis launch director technical assistant, Exploration Ground Systems at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, participates in the Artemis II Terminal Count Simulation #11 inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. Four astronauts will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration through Artemis.

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director, Exploration Ground Systems at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, participates in the Artemis II Terminal Count Simulation #11 inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. Four astronauts will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration through Artemis.

Members of the Artemis launch team participate in the Artemis II Terminal Count Simulation #11 inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. Four astronauts will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration through Artemis.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins talks to NASA’s Derrol Nail at Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Collins talked about the moments leading up to the Apollo 11 launch at 9:32 a.m. on July 16, 1969.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins talks to NASA’s Derrol Nail at Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Collins talked about the moments leading up to the Apollo 11 launch at 9:32 a.m. on July 16, 1969.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins talks to NASA’s Derrol Nail at Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Collins talked about the moments leading up to the Apollo 11 launch at 9:32 a.m. on July 16, 1969.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Kelvin Manning, left, Kennedy Space Center associate director, technical, talks to Bob Sieck, former Apollo 11 launch team member and space shuttle launch director, in Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the background is Sean Quinn, director of Engineering.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, modifications to Firing Room 2 in the Launch Control Center, or LCC, continue. Wiring and conduits below the floor have been upgraded. The legacy flooring was removed and new flooring is being installed. Firing Rooms inside the LCC are being upgraded by the Ground System Development and Operations Program at Kennedy to support the processing and launch of multiple types of rockets and spacecraft, whether they are government or commercial models. Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39 is transitioning to support multiple users with the Firing Rooms being modified to be more generic in nature for upcoming programs. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, modifications to Firing Room 2 in the Launch Control Center, or LCC, continue. Old flooring has been removed and wiring and conduits below the floor are being upgraded. New flooring will be installed. Firing Rooms inside the LCC are being upgraded by the Ground System Development and Operations Program at Kennedy to support the processing and launch of multiple types of rockets and spacecraft, whether they are government or commercial models. Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39 is transitioning to support multiple users with the Firing Rooms being modified to be more generic in nature for upcoming programs. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Michael Guzman, an umbilical engineer, monitors his console in Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, during a terminal countdown demonstration for Exploration Mission 1, or EM-1, on Dec. 14, 2018. The launch will be the first integrated test of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars. The countdown demonstration was intended to validate the launch team's capability to perform an EM-1 countdown and respond to challenges put into the system for practice.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, remodeling for launches of future human spaceflight vehicles continues in the Launch Control Center's Young-Crippen Firing Room. Consoles already have been rewired for the comprehensive upgrade and are now being outfitted with new computers and monitors. 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 continues in the Launch Control Center's Young-Crippen Firing Room. Consoles already have been rewired for the comprehensive upgrade and are now being outfitted with new computers and monitors. 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 continues in the Launch Control Center's Young-Crippen Firing Room. Consoles already have been rewired for the comprehensive upgrade and are now being outfitted with new computers and monitors. 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 continues in the Launch Control Center's Young-Crippen Firing Room. Consoles already have been rewired for the comprehensive upgrade and are now being outfitted with new computers and monitors. 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

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Apollo-era and Artemis 1 launch team members watch a live broadcast on monitors in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. On screen, Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana is talking with Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins at Launch Complex 39A, the site of the Apollo 11 launch.

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. Consoles already have been rewired for the comprehensive upgrade and are now being outfitted with new computers and monitors. From here, the launch team members who give a final "go/no-go" to launch, can see the rest of the team. 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. Consoles already have been rewired for the comprehensive upgrade and are now being outfitted with new computers and monitors. From here, the launch team members who give a final "go/no-go" to launch, can see the rest of the team. 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

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon; Apollo-era and Artemis launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From left, are Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis 1 launch director; Charlie Mars, Apollo 11 launch team member; and Bob Sieck, Apollo 11 launch team member and former space shuttle launch director.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Apollo 11 and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, left, talks to Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins. In the background is Kennedy Director Bob Cabana.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Apollo 11 and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, left, talks to Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins. In the background is Kennedy Director Bob Cabana.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Apollo 11 and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, left, talks to Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins. In the background is Kennedy Director Bob Cabana.

A Centaur rocket control room in the Development Engineering Building (DEB) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The DEB, completed in the mid-1960s, provided office space for several hundred development engineers outside the center’s main gate. The location of the DEB emphasized the development staff’s separation from the research side of the laboratory. This control room at Lewis was directly linked to Cape Kennedy. The Lewis staff in Cleveland could monitor and back up the Lewis launch team in the actual control room at the Cape. This photograph was taken during the preparations for the Titan-Centaur-Helios launch on December 10, 1974. The panels to the left listed the countdown events for the Centaur rocket. The launch countdown clock can be seen above these panels. The two panels on the right listed events predicted to occur during the flight and the availability of the tracking stations. The clock above the panels indicated the time remaining before the launch window expired. The Launch Vehicles Division was created in 1969 to manage the launches of all Centaur and Agena rockets. The Launch Vehicles Division worked with the engineers to design the payload in a manner that ensured that its size and weight were within Centaur’s parameters. They also developed the proper trajectory analysis for the launch. These trajectories often had to be adjusted if the launch did not occur on the planned date.

Mark Tripp, center, monitors his console in Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, during a terminal countdown demonstration for Exploration Mission 1, or EM-1, on Dec. 14, 2018. The launch will be the first integrated test of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars. The countdown demonstration was intended to validate the launch team's capability to perform an EM-1 countdown and respond to challenges put into the system for practice.

Dr. von Braun at the launch control room during the Pioneer IV launch, March 3, 1959.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, launch team members from Apollo 11 and Artemis 1 mingled in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From left, are John Tribe, Apollo 11 launch team member; Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana; Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson; Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17 astronaut; Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins, with his daughters Ann (left) and Kate (right); and Kelvin Manning, associate director, technical.

JSC2002-E-23113 (5 June 2002) --- The Space Shuttle Endeavour is shown on the big screen in this overall view of the shuttle flight control room (WFCR) in Houston’s Mission Control Center (MCC) as it is on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Endeavour launched at 4:23 p.m. (CDT) on June 5, 2002. Once the vehicle cleared the tower in Florida, the Houston-based team of flight controllers took over the ground control of the flight.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden looks out the window of Firing Room Four in the Launch Control Center during the launch of the space shuttle Endeavour and the start of the STS-130 mission at NASA Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Monday Feb. 8, 2010. Endeavour and its crew will deliver to the International Space Station a third connecting module, the Italian-built Tranquility node and the seven-windowed cupola, which will be used as a control room for robotics. The mission will feature three spacewalks. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

S69-34332 (13 May 1969) --- Overall view of Firing Room 3 of the Launch Control Center, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, during an Apollo 10 Countdown Demonstration Test. The crew of the scheduled Apollo 10 lunar orbit mission will be astronauts Thomas P. Stafford, commander; John W. Young, command module pilot; and Eugene A. Cernan, lunar module pilot. The Launch Control Center is at the Vehicle Assembly Building. The Apollo 10 space vehicle will be launched from Pad 39B.

S90-29047 99Jan 1990) --- At the conclusion of another successful countdown, members of the KSC launch team in Firing Room 1 rivet their eyes on the skies to the east of the Launch Control Center. Their reward was a glimpse of Columbia burning its way upward up from Complex 39's Pad A. The brilliant flame of the boosters hurled shadows and patches of light into the firing room's interior. Launch of the STS-32 mission at 7:35 a.m. EST today marked the beginning of a busy year which could see the launch of as many as 10 missions.

A view of Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center (LCC) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Apollo and shuttle-era firing rooms in the LCC have been upgraded. The upper deck includes a work station in development for the EM-1 launch director. Exploration Ground Systems upgraded Firing Room 1 to support the launch of NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft on Exploration Mission-1 and deep space missions.

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.

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.

Artemis Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, center, is inside Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida during the inaugural Artemis I launch director awards and plaque ceremony on March 24, 2023. At left is Jeremy Graeber, Artemis assistant launch director. At right is Wes Mosedale, technical assistant to the launch director. Following tradition from the Apollo and Space Shuttle Programs, the Artemis I plaque was added to the wall in Firing Room 1 by Blackwell-Thompson. The first in a series of increasingly complex missions, Artemis I launched successfully from Kennedy’s Launch Pad 39B at 1:47 a.m. EST on Nov. 16, 2022.

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 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.

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.

Space Launch System and Orion launch team engineers and managers monitor operations from their console in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and 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, Oct. 8, 2025. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. For Artemis II, four astronauts will venture around the Moon, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration through Artemis.

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, Oct. 8, 2025. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. For Artemis II, four astronauts will venture around the Moon, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration through Artemis.

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, Oct. 8, 2025. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. For Artemis II, four astronauts will venture around the Moon, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration through Artemis.

The space shuttle Endeavour is seen on a monitor in Firing Room Four of the Launch Control Center as it launches from pad 39a at NASA Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Monday Feb. 8, 2010. Endeavour and it the STS-130 mission crew will deliver to the International Space Station a third connecting module, the Italian-built Tranquility node and the seven-windowed cupola, which will be used as a control room for robotics. The mission will feature three spacewalks. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Space Launch System Test Conductors Roberta Wyrick, left, and Tracy Parks, both with Jacobs, NASA's Test and Operations Support Contractor, monitor operations from their consoles in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson at her console in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson follows operations at her console in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson follows operations at her console in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson follows operations at her console in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson stands next to her console in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson follows operations at her console in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson stands next to her console in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson follows operations at her console in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson follows operations in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, above, confers with Senior NASA Test Director Jeff Spaulding, left, and Chief NASA Test Director Jeremy Graeber in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson stands next to her console in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

NASA Operation Project Engineer Rommel Rubio monitors operations from his position in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

Master Console Operator Jennifer Tschanz, left, and Master Console Operator Diego Diaz, both of Jacobs, monitor operations from their consoles in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

Roberta Wyrick, spacecraft test conductor with Jacobs, NASA's Test and Operations Support Contractor, monitors operations from her console in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

NASA Test Director Christine St. Germain monitors operations in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

Jacobs Test Project Engineer Don Vinton, left and NASA Operations Project Engineer Doug Robertson, monitor operations from his position in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

Master console operator David Walsh monitors operations from his position in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

Liquid Oxygen Systems Engineer Quinten Jones, left and Liquid Oxygen Systems Engineer Andrew "Kody" Smitherman, both of Jacobs, monitor operation from his position in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

Master Console Operators Andrea Oneill, left and David Walsh, monitor operations from their positions in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

Main Propulsion System Engineers Krista Riggs, left, and Joe Pavicic, both with Jacobs, monitor operations from their consoles in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

Test Project Engineer Rick Brown, left, and Master Console Operator Jason Robinson, both with Jacobs, monitor operations from their consoles in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

Senior NASA Test Director Jeff Spaulding monitors operations from his position in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.

Alex Higgins, a liquid hydrogen operations engineer with Jacobs, monitors operations from his position in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a countdown simulation for Exploration Mission 1. It was the agency's first simulation of a portion of the countdown for the first launch of a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.