Space Launch System
Latest
SLS fuel leak likely to delay Artemis 1 launch to October
NASA’s next-generation Space Launch System likely won’t fly before the end of September.
NASA delays Artemis 1 launch again
Following a failed attempt earlier this week, NASA has once again delayed the start of its Artemis 1 Moon mission.
NASA targets late August to early September launch for Artemis 1 Moon mission
NASA has set an aggressive launch for its Artemis 1 Moon mission following the successful June 20th “wet dress rehearsal” fueling test of the SLS rocket that will carry the flight to space.
NASA finally succeeds with its Artemis 1 wet launch test
The agency has fully fueled the Space Launch System for the first time.
NASA begins fourth Artemis 1 rocket 'wet dress rehearsal' fueling test today
With repairs complete and the rocket in place at its designated launch pad, NASA is ready to once again attempt a critical fueling test of its next-generation Space Launch System
NASA’s Artemis 1 moon rocket heads back to the launch pad tonight
Weeks after NASA decided to postpone testing of its next-generation Space Launch System to make repairs to the rocket, it’s ready to try again.
NASA rolls back SLS Moon rocket for repairs after multiple failed fueling tests
After multiple attempts to complete a critical fueling test of its next-generation Space Launch System, NASA has decided to finish the rocket’s “wet dress rehearsal” at a later date.
NASA delays Artemis 1 Moon rocket test to April 12th
NASA has once again delayed the final test of its next-generation Space Launch System.
NASA delays SLS Moon rocket test due to safety concerns
NASA has delayed a critical test of its next-generation Space Launch System.
NASA's SLS Moon rocket arrives at launch pad for the first time
NASA's SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft have rolled out to the launch pad for the first time ahead of a last test before the Artemis I Moon mission.
Watch NASA's historic Moon mission rocket test at 4PM ET (update: cut short)
NASA is conducting a historic first hot fire test for SLS's core stage on January 16th at 4PM ET — here's how to watch live.
Trump asks for $9.6 billion to bolster cybersecurity in 2020 budget
President Donald Trump has revealed his proposed budget for the 2020 fiscal year, which "supports the creation" of Space Force (USSF) as the sixth branch of the armed forces. The White House also hopes to bolster cybersecurity and NASA exploration missions.
NASA's first SLS launch will send cubesats into deep space
NASA announced on Tuesday that the first mission for its new Space Launch System in 2018, dubbed Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1), will send more than a dozen mini-satellites as well as an unmanned Orion spacecraft into deep space.
Dark horse set to ride into space race, strapped to world's largest solid rocket booster
Alliant Techsystems (ATK) may not be on top of your betting card, but it has plenty of shuttle motor pedigree. To compete with the likes of SpaceX, Astrium and others, it's putting that technical savvy into its Liberty system to carry seven astronauts -- or tourists -- and cargo into low earth orbit. The huge 300-foot rocket and composite crew module would use ATK's solid rocket motor, originally designed for the ill-fated Ares 1, along with EAD's Ariane 5 engine, to become the heaviest lifter in NASA's fleet. Already knee-deep in a separate project, the Space Launch System designed to send Orion into deep space, ATK would like to wean NASA off it's pricy $63 million Russian ISS hitchhikes with a cheaper option that could be mission-ready in just three years. We've heard that kind of talk before, but if Liberty pulls it off, it could give our out-world aspirations a much needed ticket to ride.
Visualized: Where NASA's SLS will get high
We've still got quite a while to go before NASA gets back into the space travel game with SLS, but the first pieces of the potential inter-planetary transportation puzzle are starting to fall into place. The $500 million mobile launch tower of the future has already been rolled out and is undergoing structural testing at the Kennedy Space Center. You owe it to yourself to hit up the source link for some more images, including a few from atop the tower.
J-2X rocket passes second test, proves NASA can still have a blast (video)
NASA's next generation rocket engine has passed its second wave of experiments, blasting through a 500-second test burst. The new rocket is primed to power the agency's forthcoming Space Launch System, currently pegged for launch in 2017. The Orion spacecraft will be able to piggyback on the SLS, expanding the range of space travel, and bringing that final frontier just a little bit closer. Check out the thrust needed to launch up to 130 metric tons into space in the test video right after the break.
NASA's Space Launch System to rocket into deep space, unravel the universe's mysteries (video)
The folks in charge of our final frontier have just taken the wraps off their latest rocket design, dubbed the Space Launch System. Unimaginative moniker aside, NASA's prepping the SLS to take future astronauts aboard its Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle beyond Low Earth Orbit, and out into the vast reaches of our solar system. The launcher's design, as shown off in the agency's video render, was chosen specifically for its flexible architecture, allowing engineers to adapt and evolve its build based on mission requirements. The rig, which'll serve as a backup transport system for commercial and international trips to the ISS, is expected to handle a payload of up to 130 metric tons, and gains lift from a combo of liquid hydrogen and oxygen. When the SLS finally lifts off at the end of 2017, NASA claims it'll be the "first exploration-class vehicle since the Saturn V took American astronauts to the moon over 40 years ago." That's a heady legacy to follow, and while we've still got a few years to wait for the real thing, you can always check out the video below for a simulated take.
