With humans slated to return to the moon this decade, NASA has been testing new lunar vehicles in simulated low gravity.

NASA's first two crewed Artemis moon missions have been pushed back to 2026 and 2027, respectively, and the move could have big ramifications for the agency's Artemis program and competition with China for leadership in space.

NASA shared a slow motion video of the forward bay cover jettison test, which was completed on Nov. 23. The test demonstrated the processes for ejecting the spacecraft's docking module, which is required to properly unfold Orion's parachute system and deploy the five airbags designed to inflate upon splashdown, according to the statement.

Though it isn't expected to launch until 2026 at the earliest, NASA is quietly preparing its SLS rocket for the Artemis II lunar mission.