Space Launch System (SLS)

In-active Space Launch System

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

None

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
    2948 T
  • Thrust
    39000 kN
Family
  • Name
    Space Launch System (SLS)
  • Family
    Space Launch System
  • Variant
    Block 1B
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Space Launch System Block 1B
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
    $2000000000
  • Low Earth Orbit
    105000 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Government
Administrator: Bill Nelson
NASA 1958

The 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 1B | Artemis IV

National Aeronautics and Space Administration | USA
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
TBD September, 2028
Status: To Be Determined
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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SLS Block 1B | Artemis V

National Aeronautics and Space Administration | USA
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
TBD September, 2029
Status: To Be Determined
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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SLS Block 1B | Artemis VI

National Aeronautics and Space Administration | USA
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
TBD September, 2030
Status: To Be Determined
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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SLS Block 1B | Artemis VII

National Aeronautics and Space Administration | USA
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
TBD September, 2031
Status: To Be Determined
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


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Electron
Success
2 days, 21 hours ago
Beginning Of The Swarm (ACS3 & NeonSat-1)
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B - Onenui Station, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) is a technology demonstration mission tasked with deploying a composite boom solar sail. NeonSa…


Falcon 9
Success
2 days, 21 hours ago
Starlink Group 6-53
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral, FL, USA

A batch of 23 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Long March 2D
Success
5 days, 20 hours ago
Yaogan 42-02
Launch Complex 3 (LC-3/LA-1) - Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

The Yaogan 42-02 is a Chinese military “remote sensing” satellite of unknown purposes.


Falcon 9
Success
1 week ago
Starlink Group 6-52
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral, FL, USA

A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Falcon 9
Success
1 week, 1 day ago
Starlink Group 6-51
Launch Complex 39A - Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

A batch of 23 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.