Update for 2 am ET: NASA successfully launched the Artemis 1 moon mission on the first Space Launch System rocket at 1:47 am EST (0647 GMT) in a stunning success. Read our full Artemis 1 launch story.
NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission is ready launch into space overnight tonight and you can take part in a ringside experience live.
"Artemis Ascending" will use 360-degree virtual reality to let participants feel like they're standing near the Artemis 1 mission as it lifts off no earlier than Wednesday (Nov. 16). You'll be able to virtually witness NASA's most powerful rocket yet, the Space Launch System (SLS) megarocket, as it lifts the Orion spacecraft on a journey to the moon. Liftoff is set for 1:04 a.m. EDT (0604 GMT).
Felix&Paul Studios aims to bring the launch to viewers who have access to Oculus Quest headsets or can watch it on the Space Explorers Facebook page. The event will begin at 12 a.m. EST (0500 GMT) and run through the final countdown and launch. About 90 minutes before launch, Felix & Paul will begin livestreaming views ahead of the show's start. You can also watch it at one of 200 domes and planetariums around the world.
The livestream will be hosted by retired NASA astronauts Karen Nyberg and Doug Hurley on Meta Quest, and below is a list of locations where you can catch the historic moon mission. You'll be able to ask questions of the astronauts during the livestream using the Space Explorers Facebook page comments.
If you're looking for a non-VR livestream of the launch, you can watch the Artemis 1 liftoff on Space.com, courtesy of NASA TV, starting at 10:30 p.m. EST (0330 Nov. 16 GMT).
Related: NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission: Live updates
More: NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission explained in photos
- Venues in Horizon Worlds via Meta Quest Headsets
- Facebook 360 on the Space Explorers Facebook page
- Live and replay on Orange “Immersive Now” and LG Uplus’ U+DIVE mobile applications
- 200+ domes and planetariums around the world live and/or on-demand.
The list of domes is available via this Felix&Paul sign-up link and a partial list of participating facilities (live and on-demand) include:
- Cosm Experience Center (Salt Lake City, Utah);
- U.S. Space and Rocket Center (Huntsville, Alabama);
- Virginia Air & Space Science Center (Hampton, Virginia);
- Liberty Science Center (Jersey City, New Jersey);
- Adler Planetarium (Chicago);
- Discovery Place Science (Charlotte, North Carolina);
- Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium (Canada);
- Telus Spark Science Center (Canada);
- Planetário da Unipampa (Brazil);
- Planetarium of the Royal Observatory (Belgium);
- Museon-Omniversum (Netherlands);
- Tycho Brahe Planetarium (Denmark);
- Hamburg Planetarium (Germany);
- La Coupole (France);
- Lucern Planetarium (Switzerland);
- Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (Ireland);
- Netanya Planetarium (Israel);
- Rangsit Science Centre For Education (Thailand);
- Museum Victoria (Australia).
Felix & Paul is an immersive studio based in Montreal, Canada. Originals from the studio include the "Space Explorers" series, productions with franchises like "Jurassic World" and comedy specials for "Just for Laughs" starring Trevor Noah, Lilly Singh and other celebrities.
If you're looking to get into virtual reality, consult our best VR headset guide for immersive gaming, virtual cinema experiences or interactive workouts. Our review of the Oculus Quest 2 gave it a near-perfect 4.5 stars, making it our favorite headset right now.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with Felix & Paul's broadcast plans for "Artemis Ascending" on Nov. 16 after NASA's months-long launch delay from Aug. 29 and Sept. 3.
Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook.
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