Spawn NASA’s giant SLS rocket into your home

This is one of NASA’s major projects: the Space Launch System (SLS), an American super-heavy space launcher, which is to fly for the first time in 2022. This rocket plays a crucial role in the Artemis program, with which the United States intends to return humanity to the Moon. It is in particular this launcher which will be responsible for sending the manned Orion spacecraft towards the star.

While waiting to see the real rocket take off, you can at least discover it in augmented reality, comfortably installed at home. Since June 16, 2022, the American space agency has integrated a 3D model into its application. After the Perseverance rover, it’s the SLS’s turn to feature in this gallery of augmented reality models.

How to make the NASA rocket appear at home?

All you have to do is download the NASA application, on iOS or Android, then open the “AR 3D Models” gallery there. The Space Launch System should be first in the list, since it was just added recently. Select it and your device’s camera should then open in the app.

Follow the instruction that appears, asking you to move the camera lens around you. Within seconds, you should see a model of the rocket appear. You are free to turn around and/or pinch it with your fingers to enlarge, shrink, rotate or move it.

Note that the rocket is presented here in its initial configuration. The real SLS was imagined as a scalable launcher, which can send different missions into space: to the Moon, of course, but also to Mars, Saturn and Jupiter. Other rocket configurations will then be used.

Currently, the SLS rocket and the Orion spacecraft are in Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, outdoors. Tests are being carried out on the rocket: the next important deadline is scheduled for June 20. This test will consist of filling the tanks of the launcher, then performing a complete countdown (as during a real launch).