The Yellowhammer State played a significant role in NASA’s launch today of the Huntsville-assembled Space Launch System (SLS), the most powerful rocket ever built.

Constructed at Marshall Space Flight Center, SLS is carrying the uncrewed Orion Spacecraft as part of the first stage in NASA’s Artemis I mission. The ambitious program will see the return of Americans to the lunar surface by 2025.

The Orion capsule, built by Lockheed Martin, will travel 1.3 million miles around and past the moon before its return to Earth on Dec. 11.

According to the Marshall Space Flight Center, more than 1,100 companies have partnered in support of the SLS program, which has generated $5.5 billion in economic impact and created over 28,000 jobs nationwide.

Aerospace industry giants such as Aerojet Rocketdyne, Boeing, Teledyne Brown, United Launch Alliance, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, all of whom conduct critical space-related operations in Huntsville, have played vital roles in ensuring the successful construction of the rocket.

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa), vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, declared Wednesday to be a historic day for the future of space exploration.

“Congratulations to NASA and all of those who have worked on the Artemis program. Today’s successful liftoff was a historic achievement in our goal of deep space exploration,” said Shelby. “Launching aboard NASA’s Space Launch System – the most powerful rocket in the world, made at Marshall Space Flight Center right here in Alabama – the Orion spacecraft will orbit the moon and return to Earth before next launching with a manned crew.

“Today, we demonstrated our commitment to returning humans to the Moon and beyond. Today, we made history. I’m proud of the major role that Alabama played in this monumental success.”

In a series of tweets, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) said the launch was “a direct result of the tireless efforts of thousands of Alabamians.”

“[T]he success of NASA’s Artemis I mission is a direct result of the tireless efforts of thousands of Alabamians,” wrote Tuberville. “Their contributions were on full display this morning with the launch of the new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, (Orion Spacecraft), and Exploration Ground Systems.”

“This mission ensures the U.S. will remain a global leader in space exploration. I look forward to seeing continued innovation from Alabama as we work to return to the Moon for the first time in 50 years. Congratulations to Director Jody Singer and the team at (NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center) on a successful launch.”

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville), who serves as the lead Republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, congratulated the Alabama workforce that contributed to the launch.

“I am beyond excited that Artemis I has taken to the sky. This historic moment marks the beginning of a new era of human presence and permanence in space with the United States at the helm,” Aderholt tweeted. “I am sending my sincerest congratulations to the Artemis team, NASA, and everyone involved, especially our incredible workforce here in Alabama, in making this extraordinary feat possible.”

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle proclaimed that the Rocket City had once again “redefined what we know to be possible.”

Congratulations to the thousands of people right here in the Rocket City that made this launch happen. Huntsville has again redefined what we know to be possible. https://t.co/lz9UxR9gxa

— Tommy Battle (@TommyBattle) November 16, 2022

Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL