How NASA sends astronauts to space
Chapter 1
Becoming a NASA astronaut
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Chapter 2
The vehicles that reach orbit
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Chapter 3
The countdown and launch day
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Chapter 4
Living in space and returning home
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YOUR GOAL
Master of How NASA sends astronauts to space
Ch 3 · The countdown and launch day
teacher NASA Launch Countdown Day
From Kennedy Space Center ground, oh-oh! / SLS rocket makes a mighty sound!
Fun Fact
Launch day breakfast: The tradition of eating steak and eggs before a launch is actually to prevent mid-flight bathroom emergencies.
Glossary
countdown (noun)
An act of counting backward to zero, especially to initiate a rocket launch. At Kennedy Space Center, NASA initiated this sequence on March 30, 2026, for Artemis II.
An act of counting backward to zero, especially to initiate a rocket launch. At Kennedy Space Center, NASA initiated this sequence on March 30, 2026, for Artemis II.
Quiz
How long does it take for a modern NASA rocket to reach orbit after lifting off from the launch pad?
Quiz
From which NASA facility in Florida do all crewed flights from US soil currently launch?
Quiz
What traditional high-protein breakfast has been eaten by NASA astronauts on launch day since 1961?
Quiz
How many times the force of Earth's gravity do astronauts typically experience during a rocket launch ascent?
Quiz
Why do NASA astronauts wear bright orange suits during launch and reentry instead of white suits?