13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II Artemis II: 2. Rocket man
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Mar 31, 2026 
John Blevins, NASA chief engineer for the SLS, gives technical perspective on the rocket. Kristin Fisher, U.S. space journalist at Kennedy Space Center, reports live on launch preparations. They discuss launch readiness, fueling and cryogenics, ascent dynamics like Max Q and booster separation, engine heritage and why SLS is expendable for now.
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Artemis I Launch Set The Mood For Artemis II
- The episode opened with the Artemis I launch audio to underline how dramatic the SLS liftoff was in 2022.
- Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Kristin Fisher recalled Artemis I as the most spectacular launch they've seen, setting context for Artemis II.
SLS Is NASA's Largest Moonbound Rocket
- The SLS is the largest rocket NASA has commissioned and will fly its second launch with Artemis II carrying people for the first time.
- Its core orange tank, twin side boosters, and height make it the most powerful U.S. rocket since Saturn V, designed for high-energy lunar missions.
Expect Issues During Tanking Not Earlier
- Tanking (fueling) is the critical prelaunch operation when most technical issues appear, so teams watch it closely.
- NASA begins cryogenic system preparations in advance and will only fuel on launch morning, making tanking the decisive test.