SLS
| Status | Active |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Number of orbital launches | 2 |
| First launch | 2022-11-16 |
| Last launch | 2026-04-01 |
The Space Launch System (SLS) super heavy-lift expendable launch vehicle developed by NASA and designed for the Artemis program. It is the first rocket intended for human deep-space exploration beyond low Earth orbit since Saturn 5 in the 1970s. It replaced the Ares rockets planned for the Constellation program but cancelled in 2010.
Launches by year:
Launches:
| Launch date | Launch site | Rocket / Variant | Payload | Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-01 | Cape Canaveral | SLS B1 | Artemis 2 | BM | success |
First manned launch of the Orion capsule and first mission around the Moon since the Apollo program in the 1970s. | |||||
| 2022-11-16 | Cape Canaveral | SLS B1 | Artemis 1 | B | success |
Maiden flight of the SLS rocket with the Orion spacecraft. 10 CubeSats were deployed, of which CuSP, Lunar IceCube, NEA-Scout and OMOTENASHI experienced spacecraft failures. | |||||
Variants:
(This section is under construction)SLS Block 1
| Stages | 3 |
|---|---|
| Boosters | 2 x SRB |
| Upper stage | ICPS |
| Mass | 2610 t |
| Height | 98 m |
| Diameter | 8.4 m |
Payload capacity:
| LEO | 95 kg |
|---|
SLS Block 1B
SLS Block 2
| Height | 111.25 m |
|---|