Orion Spacecraft Completes Major Stacking Milestone Ahead of Artemis II Mission
Rhea-AI Summary
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) reported that the Orion spacecraft named Integrity was stacked atop the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket in High Bay 3 at Kennedy Space Center on Oct. 19, 2025, marking a major prelaunch milestone for Artemis II. Teams will complete electrical, data and umbilical hookups and EGS will run integrated tests before the stack rolls to Launch Pad 39B for a wet dress rehearsal next year. The first crewed Artemis flight is scheduled no earlier than February 2026, with launch windows extending through April 2026, and a planned mission duration of 10 days. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor and built Orion's crew module, adapter and launch abort system.
Positive
- Orion stacked onto SLS in High Bay 3 on Oct. 19, 2025
- Artemis II crewed mission scheduled no earlier than Feb 2026 with defined windows
- Mission length set at 10 days, advancing program milestones
- Lockheed Martin serves as prime contractor and delivered key spacecraft hardware
Negative
- Launch date remains tentative (NEoT Feb–Apr 2026), keeping schedule uncertainty
- Integrated tests and wet dress rehearsal prior to rollout could introduce delays
News Market Reaction 1 Alert
On the day this news was published, LMT declined 0.54%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Orion Integrity spacecraft connected with the SLS rocket, readying for historic crewed journey to the Moon
The Orion spacecraft, named Integrity by its astronaut crew, was transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building at the
"Integration of SLS and Orion represents a major milestone in our progress on Artemis," said Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. "Soon, we will be launching four astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over half a century on Artemis II — the latest demonstration of American dominance in space."
Following the mating, teams will make electrical and data connections between Orion and SLS, along with umbilical connections from the mobile launch platform to the spacecraft. EGS will conduct integrated tests of Orion and SLS before they are rolled out to Launch Pad 39B for a wet dress rehearsal next year.
"The full stack of Orion on the SLS is a truly spectacular sight," said Robert Lightfoot, president of Lockheed Martin Space. "Our teams have been working tirelessly to finalize these last steps and ensure Orion takes the crew to the Moon and brings them home safely."
The first crewed flight of the Artemis program is set to launch no earlier than February 2026, with potential launch windows extending through April 2026. The mission will be 10 days and is a key event to establishing a long-term presence at the Moon for exploration and science.
Orion is the most advanced, human-rated, deep space spacecraft ever developed. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor to NASA for Orion and built the crew module, crew module adaptor and launch abort system.
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin
FAQ
What did Lockheed Martin (LMT) announce about Orion on Oct. 24, 2025?
How does the Oct. 19, 2025 stacking affect Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Artemis II timing?
When is the Artemis II crewed mission now planned to launch and how long will it last?
What hardware did Lockheed Martin (LMT) provide for Orion for Artemis II?
What tests remain after Orion was stacked on SLS for Artemis II?
