Boeing people and products have powered giant leaps in human space exploration over the past five decades. Now, with the NASA Artemis program — named after Apollo’s twin sister — Boeing will be part of landing the first woman and first person of color on the moon and the sustainable exploration of more of the lunar surface than ever before. What NASA and its commercial and international partners learn on and around the moon will enable astronauts to take the next giant leap — all the way to Mars. NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) is the technologically advanced, heavy-lift rocket that will get us there.
Boeing is the prime contractor for the design, development, test and production of the launch vehicle core stage and upper stages, as well as development of the flight avionics suite. The Boeing-built core stage for the Artemis I mission has completed a series of tests known as Green Run at the agency’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. It has been refurbished and delivered to Kennedy Space Center in Florida for integration with the rest of SLS. Meanwhile, Boeing is building the core stages for Artemis II and III.
Launched on SLS, the Orion spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry up to four crew members to space, provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during multiweek missions and provide a safe reentry to Earth from deep space return velocities. It’s composed of a crew module, service module and launch abort system.
Built by Lockheed Martin | NASA/Radislav Sinyak photo
The Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) for SLS Block 1 is the initial configuration that can deliver 27 metric tons of payload to the moon. Based on the proven Delta Cryogenic Second Stage and powered by one Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10 engine, ICPS will propel an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to fly beyond the moon and back on the Artemis I mission.
Built by United Launch Alliance and Boeing | NASA/Ben Smegelsky photo
The Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter (LVSA) connects the Block 1 core stage to the upper stage while providing structural, electrical and communication paths. It separates the core stage from the second stage that includes astronauts in the Orion crew vehicle. The cone-shaped adapter is roughly 30 feet in diameter by 30 feet tall. The LVSA consists of 16 aluminum-lithium 2195 alloy panels.
Built by Teledyne Brown Engineering | NASA/Fred Deaton photo
As the brains of SLS, the forward skirt is responsible for the rocket reaching its destination. It houses flight computers, cameras and avionics — the routers, processors, power, other boxes and software that control stage functions and communications. Along with the liquid oxygen tank and the intertank, it makes up the top half of the core stage.
Built by Boeing | NASA/Eric Bordelon photo
The liquid oxygen (LOX) tank holds 196,000 gallons (742,000 liters) of liquid oxygen cooled to minus 297 degrees Fahrenheit. Its thermal foam coating protects it from extreme temperatures — the cold of the propellants and the heat of friction. A test article at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in 2020 was subjected to 170% maximum predicted flight loads — far beyond the pressures of liftoff and launch — before rupturing and spilling 197,000 gallons (746,000 liters) of water across the test stand.
Built by Boeing | NASA photo
Joining the LH2 and LOX tanks, the intertank houses avionics and electronics that will control the rocket in flight. It also anchors two massive solid rocket boosters. The avionics units on the SLS core stage work with the flight software to perform various functions during the first eight minutes of flight. Some control the navigation, some communicate with the Orion spacecraft and some control how the engines perform. The intertank makes up the top half of the core stage, along with the LOX tank and forward skirt.
Built by Boeing | NASA/Jude Guidry photo
The largest human-rated solid rocket boosters ever built for flight, the SLS twin boosters stand 17 stories tall and burn about six tons of propellant every second. Each booster generates more thrust than 14 four-engine jumbo commercial airliners. Together, the SLS twin boosters provide more than 75% of the total thrust at launch.
Built by Northrop Grumman | NASA/Scott Mohrman photo
The liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank comprises two-thirds of the core stage, weighs 150,000 pounds (68,000 kilograms) and holds 537,000 gallons (2 million liters) of liquid hydrogen cooled to minus 423 degrees Fahrenheit. Thermal foam keeps the LH2 at the right temperature and pressure. A test article structurally identical to the flight hardware at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in 2019 withstood more than 260% of expected flight loads over five hours before buckling.
Built by Boeing | NASA/MAF/Steven Seipel photo
In addition to its miles of cabling and hundreds of sensors, the engine section is a crucial attachment point for the four RS-25 engines that work with two solid rocket boosters to produce a combined 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. Avionics here steer the engines, too. It was built vertically and flipped to horizontally to connect with the LH2 tank.
Built by Boeing | NASA photo
Four RS-25 engines will deliver more than 2 million pounds of thrust at altitude. Combined with two five-segment solid rocket boosters, the propulsion system will give SLS about 8.8 million pounds of thrust at launch — more lift than any current rocket and 15% more than the Saturn V. An RS-25 variant is under production for Artemis missions past the first four.
Built by Aerojet Rocketdyne | Aerojet Rocketdyne photo
After the first SLS core stage successfully completed its Green Run hot fire test, teams at Stennis Space Center refurbished it, removed it from the B-2 test stand, and sent it to Kennedy Space Center for integration and launch. Inside Kennedy’s iconic Vehicle Assembly Building, NASA and industry teams will stack the different elements of the rocket on top of its mobile launcher. The building and the mobile launcher have been specially outfitted to accommodate SLS and the Orion spacecraft.
See how the Artemis I core stage was prepared for delivery from Stennis to Kennedy.
July 14, 2021 in Space
Boeing has evolved the Space Launch System Thermal Protection System to accommodate the deep space rocket’s size, complexity and extreme environment.
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NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems team has lifted the Boeing-built core stage onto the Space Launch System mobile launcher, ready for stacking with the other rocket elements.
Learn MoreMay 19, 2021 in Space
Boeing’s assembly of the second Space Launch System core stage starts with forward join – integration of the forward skirt, liquid oxygen tank and intertank.
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Employees begin preparing first Boeing-built Space Launch System core stage for integration with other rocket elements at Kennedy Space Center.
Learn MoreApril 23, 2021 in Space
The Boeing-built core stage for NASA’s Artemis II mission is approaching forward join at the agency’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.
Learn MoreApril 21, 2021 in Space
The first Boeing-built SLS core stage is removed from its test stand for transport to Kennedy Space Center.
Learn MoreApril 13, 2021 in Space
The Boeing team at Kennedy Space Center in Florida is looking forward to the arrival of the first Space Launch System core stage.
Learn MoreMarch 26, 2021 in Space
Suba Iyer leads the Launch Integrated Product Team at Kennedy Space Center, working with NASA to launch the Artemis missions that will return humans to the moon.
Learn MoreMarch 22, 2021 in Space
Teams are inspecting and refurbishing the NASA Space Launch System core stage before preparing it for shipment to Kennedy Space Center for launch.
Learn MoreMarch 19, 2021 in Space
Boeing takes the reins to restrain the Artemis I core stage engines’ power during testing, working with supplier D-J Engineering and NASA to prep the B-2 stand.
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Boeing’s Ronnie Martin has been part of 165 rocket launches and decades’ worth of testing. Now he’s the countdown voice who says, ‘We have engine start.’
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Longer-duration engine firing will collect additional data to certify first and future rocket stages
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Post-test analysis and visual inspection reveal SLS core stage and test hardware in excellent condition
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Boeing team advances NASA Space Launch System core stages for Artemis missions II and III
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Cycling helps Mark Nappi steadily move the first Space Launch System core stage through Green Run tests
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Successful propellant loading and unloading plus data review clear program to prep for Green Run hot-fire test this month.
Learn MoreJanuary 5, 2021 in Space
Revitalized Stennis Space Center infrastructure hosts Space Launch System core stage’s Green Run test series.
Learn MoreJanuary 4, 2021 in Space
Space Launch System Test and Evaluation manager Paul Wright applies technical and organizational skills to two exciting pursuits.
Learn MoreNovember 24, 2020 in Space
After a valve repair, the Space Launch System core stage is moving forward to wet dress rehearsal and hot fire.
Learn MoreNovember 23, 2020 in Space
Space Launch System program engineers receive Space Flight Awareness Trailblazer awards for their work toward launch.
Learn MoreOctober 9, 2020 in Space
Kristine Ramos recognized with Florida State University’s highest alumni honor.
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This latest Space Launch System test will be followed by two more, fueling and hot-fire, to complete the series.
Learn MoreSeptember 15, 2020 in Space
Test 5 of 8 checks ability to steer moon rocket’s 4 RS-25 engines.
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Test of main propulsion system components continues Artemis I stage’s progress toward hot-fire.
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Test teams have turned on NASA’s SLS core stage in flight configuration with the stage controller for the first time at Stennis Space Center.
Learn MoreJune 26, 2020 in Space
The final pressure test of a Space Launch System liquid oxygen tank this week completed the SLS core stage structural qualification test campaign.
Learn MoreApril 28, 2020 in Space
Boeing and NASA Space Launch System teams have completed a rigorous avionics review so the program will be prepared to resume testing of the first SLS core stage when NASA reopens Stennis Space Center.
Learn MoreApril 6, 2020 in Space
At Michoud Assembly Facility, all elements of the SLS core stage for the crewed Artemis II lunar mission have been welded and built, and the third core stage was being fabricated before a suspension of operations in response to COVID-19.
Learn MoreMarch 3, 2020 in Space
Boeing and NASA test team members send shock waves through the 212-foot SLS core stage to confirm engineering models and pave the way for hot-fire testing later this year.
Learn MoreJanuary 24, 2020 in Space
NASA and Boeing prepare for a giant leap toward returning humans to the moon and beyond. NASA will use flight hardware for its initial test of the SLS core stage.
Learn MoreJanuary 13, 2020 in Space
Boeing completes and delivers first Space Launch System core stage, the next step toward NASA’s Artemis I mission to lunar orbit.
Learn MoreNovember 12, 2019 in Space
Boeing team begins integrated testing of core stage structure.
Learn MoreOctober 23, 2019 in Space
Boeing and Aerojet Rocketdyne technicians are installing the four powerful RS-25 engines modified for the Space Launch System at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility, while ramping up to support the full core stage hot fire testing at Stennis Space Center next year.
Learn MoreOctober 10, 2019 in Space
Innovation is built into the Space Launch System from the ground up, as technicians and engineers work together to improve the rocket by incorporating ideas from the shop floor into future design and build plans, making each rocket core stage come together faster, and more efficiently.
Learn MoreOctober 1, 2019 in Space
Boeing teams in New Orleans connected the first Space Launch System (SLS) engine section to the rest of the rocket’s core stage.
Learn MoreSeptember 10, 2019 in Space
Production of the first Space Launch System core stage approaches final join as teams prep the engine section using new tooling and a new maneuver.
Learn MoreAugust 27, 2019 in Space
Space Launch System liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tanks undergo testing at Marshall Space Flight Center to ensure the rocket can withstand launch and ascent.
Learn MoreAugust 8, 2019 in Space
As Boeing prepares for final element join on the first Space Launch System core stage, the second core stage of the advanced launch system is underway, and the design of a powerful Exploration Upper Stage is taking shape.
Learn MoreMay 31, 2019 in Space
The second of three major joins that make up the Space Launch System core stage is underway in New Orleans, taking America a giant leap closer to launching NASA’s Artemis missions.
Learn MoreFebruary 7, 2019 in Space
Boeing employees at NASA’s Michoud facility complete a forward join on the SLS rocket core stage.
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The liquid hydrogen tank for Space Launch System is lifted in place in preparation for testing.
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Testing, installation and integration of the Space Launch System core stage is underway.
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Space Launch System employees move closer to completing core stage of world’s most powerful rocket.
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Boeing's next big adventures into deep space ride with new super rocket.
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NASA is setting its eyes on the exploration of Mars, an over two year-long journey that will make history. Today's children will be the first explorers of our neighboring planet with help from Boeing technology to discover ground humans humans have yet to see.
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With cutting-edge technology, Boeing employees once again are helping build a mighty rocket.
Learn MoreNovember 13, 2014 in Innovation, Space
With cutting-edge technology, Boeing employees once again are helping build a mighty rocket.
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Take a ride on the new Space Launch System built by Boeing and ignite your human spirit.
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Boeing has designed and built two composite liquid-hydrogen fuel tanks for heavy-lift launch vehicles that will propel future air and space missions.
Learn MoreJune 28, 2013 in Space
Boeing has designed and built two composite liquid-hydrogen fuel tanks for heavy-lift launch vehicles that will propel future air and space missions.
Learn MoreSLS will launch a permanent human presence in deep space. Its flexibility and evolvability will support diverse exploration, science and security missions.
On the Artemis I test flight, SLS will launch an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to the moon to test the performance of the integrated system. Additional missions are planned with this NASA SLS Block 1 configuration and its 27 metric ton launch payload capability to Trans-Lunar Injection (TLI) beyond Earth orbit, as the even more powerful Block 1B version is designed and built. This upgraded two-stage configuration will provide NASA with lift capability of 42 metric tons to TLI beyond Earth orbit, using the Boeing-built Exploration Upper Stage. That’s almost three times the lift power to TLI as any other rocket.
Boeing has delivered flight hardware for the first Artemis mission and is producing flight hardware for Artemis II and beyond.
NASA is Boeing’s customer for the core stage, upper stages and flight avionics of Space Launch System — America’s rocket — which will support the Artemis moon missions and make the next generation of human spaceflight possible.
Boeing is committed to NASA’s Artemis program and to the National Space Council’s vision for continued American leadership and international partnerships in space.
The Boeing SLS Program is managed out of the company’s Space and Launch division in Huntsville, Alabama, and employs Boeing’s workforce in Huntsville, at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, and at other Boeing sites and with suppliers across the country. The Boeing Exploration Launch Systems office supports NASA on strategy and policy for Space Exploration programs procured by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.
