The first test flight, Artemis I, will carry an uncrewed Orion space capsule to the moon to test the performance of the integrated system. SLS also will carry 13 small satellites, each about the size of a shoebox, that will be deployed in deep space.

Additional missions are planned with this configuration as the even more powerful Block 1B version of the rocket is designed and built. This follow-on, evolved two-stage configuration will provide a lift capability of more than 105 metric tons, using the Boeing-built Exploration Upper Stage. Boeing has delivered flight hardware for the first Artemis mission and is producing flight hardware for both the second and third missions.

• Designed to be flexible and evolvable for crew or cargo missions
• Safe, affordable and sustainable to advance America’s exploration of space
• Three capabilities: 95 metric tons, 105 metric tons and 130 metric tons of payload capacity to low Earth orbit
• The 130 metric tons of capacity would take 22 fully grown elephants into orbit
• The 95 and 105 metric ton configurations have 8.8 million pounds of thrust, equal to the horsepower produced in 160,000 Corvette engines, or 13,400 locomotive engines
• The 130 metric ton configuration has 11.9 million pounds of thrust, equal to the horsepower produced in 208,000 Corvette engines, or 17,400 locomotive engines
• Each solid rocket booster burns 5 tons of propellant per second
• The power generated from four RS-25 engines on the SLS equals the output of 12 Hoover Dams

Want to learn more about SLS and its role in Boeing's space exploration business? Visit Watch U.S. Fly for more information.