USAGetting to Mars: New upper stage will give SLS a boost
The Boeing-built Exploration Upper Stage will power NASA’s Space Launch System on its first trip to Mars.
Fresh off NASA’s successful Artemis I mission in November, Boeing teams are working to provide core stages, upper stages and avionics for the Space Launch System (SLS) fleet of rockets for future missions.
The Boeing-built core stage powers each SLS launch. After lift-off and rocket separation, the SLS upper stage propels the Orion capsule out of Earth’s orbit.
For missions to the moon – Artemis I, II and III – the SLS rocket will fly in what’s called the Block 1 configuration featuring the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) as the upper stage. But, to get to Mars, SLS will require an evolved configuration – called Block 1B – with a more powerful upper stage to provide even more thrust and power.
What’s happening: The Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) will replace the ICPS beginning with Artemis IV - which sets the foundation for future missions to Mars. The EUS will carry 40% more payload, enabling NASA to send more than 83,000 pounds (38 metric tons) of cargo on a single crewed mission.
Why it matters: “The EUS is a fully human-rated stage that enables the full use of the SLS rocket, supporting deep space exploration with meaningful payload capabilities,” said David Dutcher, program manager for SLS. “The EUS-enabled SLS rocket is foundational to deep space missions, including crewed lunar landings and scientific missions to the outer planets and their moons – taking us farther and faster than ever before.”
Go deeper on NASA’s Artemis missions:
- Relive the first SLS launch and NASA’s Artemis Iopens in a new tab mission
- Learn exactly what happens with SLS between lift-off and lunar orbit.
NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket – the nation’s next-generation, human-rated rocket – will enable NASA’s Artemis programopens in a new tab and will carry people and cargo to the moonopens in a new tab, Mars and beyond! Boeing was selectedopens in a new tab by NASA to design, develop, test and produce the core stages, upper stages, and avionics suite for the SLS fleet of rockets. The first SLS rocket – featuring the Boeing-built Core Stage – successfully launched at 1:47 AM ET on November 16, 2022, as part of the Artemis I Missionopens in a new tab. Production is currently underway for the Boeing-built core stages, upper stages (including Exploration Upper Stage) and avionics for future Artemis missions.
