Space Launch System (SLS)
Active Space Launch SystemNational Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Nov. 16, 2022
Description
The Space Launch System (SLS) is an American Space Shuttle-derived heavy expendable launch vehicle. It is part of NASA's deep space exploration plans including as the main launch vehicle of the Artemis program. SLS follows the cancellation of the Constellation program, and is to replace the retired Space Shuttle.
Specifications
-
Stages
2 -
Length
111.0 m -
Diameter
8.4 m -
Fairing Diameter
8.4 m -
Launch Mass
2628 T -
Thrust
39000 kN
Family
-
Name
Space Launch System (SLS) -
Family
Space Launch System -
Variant
Block 1 -
Alias
― -
Full Name
Space Launch System Block 1
Payload Capacity
-
Launch Cost
$2000000000 -
Low Earth Orbit
95000 kg -
Geostationary Transfer
Orbit
― -
Direct Geostationary
― -
Sun-Synchronous Capacity
―
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Government
Administrator: Bill Nelson
NASA 1958The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA have many launch facilities but most are inactive. The most commonly used pad will be LC-39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Upcoming Spaceflights
SLS Block 1 | Artemis II
National Aeronautics and Space Administration | USAKennedy Space Center, FL, USA
TBD September, 2025
Status: To Be Determined
Mission:
Artemis II is the first crewed mission as part of the Artemis program. Artemis II will send a crew of 4 - 3 Americans and 1 Canadian around the moon and return them back to Earth. The mission will test the core systems of NASA's Orion spacecraft including the critical life support system, among other systems which could not be tested during Artemis I due to the lack of crew onboard.
Lunar flybySLS Block 1 | Artemis III
National Aeronautics and Space Administration | USAKennedy Space Center, FL, USA
TBD September, 2026
SLS Block 1 | Artemis I
National Aeronautics and Space Administration | USAKennedy Space Center, FL, USA
Nov. 16, 2022, 6:47 a.m.
Electron
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Starlink Group 6-53
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Long March 2D
Yaogan 42-02
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Starlink Group 6-52
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral, FL, USAA batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
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Starlink Group 6-51
Launch Complex 39A - Kennedy Space Center, FL, USAA batch of 23 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
