Witness the Launch of NASA’s Artemis II Mission in Ultra Slow Motion
On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 6:35 p.m., the globe observed the lift-off of the Orion spacecraft. A component of NASA’s groundbreaking Artemis II mission, the vessel carrying four astronauts represented a triumph of engineering and an homage to the limitless curiosity of human beings. While many gathered to see the launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, none were as close to the excitement as National Geographic. The magazine employed a high-speed, remotely-operated camera that recorded 7.5 seconds of the launch in mesmerizing slow motion.
National Geographic utilized the Ember s2.5k camera by Freefly Systems to capture an astonishing 2,000 frames per second, all in high definition. Positioned about 1,500 feet from the launch pad, it was so near that the rocket’s flames were too hazardous for humans to approach the camera. Instead, the National Geographic crew secured a 60-pound lead-acid marine battery and programmed the camera to begin recording once NASA’s official launch countdown clock commenced.
The resulting footage, which assembles all the images, offers us a glimpse into the engineering wonder that is the Orion spacecraft. We witness brilliant flames, which are emitted from the two solid rocket boosters. Each produces an incredible 3.6 million pounds of thrust—approximately 75% of the total force required to lift the 5.75-million-pound rocket off the pad.
As it rises, thick smoke generates acoustic shock waves that must be mitigated with water sprayed onto the pad. Any birds in the vicinity are seen departing, their shadows flapping to safety as Orion comes to life.
Watch Orion ascend in slow motion below. Then, discover the four astronauts operating the ship on its journey to the moon and back.
National Geographic recorded 7.5 seconds of the Orion spacecraft’s launch in captivating slow motion. View it here.
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