Space Launch System (SLS)

In-active

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
    2948.0 T
  • Thrust
    39000.0 kN
Family
  • Name
    Space Launch System (SLS)
  • Family
  • Variant
    Block 1B
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Space Launch System Block 1B
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
    $2000000000
  • Low Earth Orbit
    105000.0 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Government
Administrator: Jared Isaacman
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 | United States of America
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
TBD June, 2028
Status: To Be Determined
Mission:

Artemis IV is planned to be the first human lunar landing mission since the Apollo Program.

Lunar Orbit
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SLS Block 1B | Artemis V

National Aeronautics and Space Administration | United States of America
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
TBD December, 2028
Status: To Be Determined
Mission:

Artemis V is planned to be the second human lunar landing mission since the Apollo Program.

Lunar Orbit
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SLS Block 1B | Artemis VI

National Aeronautics and Space Administration | United States of America
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.


Explore Share

SLS Block 1B | Artemis VII

National Aeronautics and Space Administration | United States of America
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.


Explore Share

Falcon 9
Success
1 day, 10 hours ago
NROL-179
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Fourteenth batch of satellites for a reconnaissance satellite constellation built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman for the National Reconnaissance Offi…


Ariane 64
Success
3 days, 6 hours ago
Amazon Leo (LE-03)
Ariane Launch Area 4 - Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana

Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access, thi…


Falcon 9
Success
3 days, 12 hours ago
BlueBird Block 2 #3-5
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

AST SpaceMobile’s Block 2 BlueBird satellites are designed to deliver up to 10 times the bandwidth capacity of the BlueBird Block 1 satellites, requi…


Kuaizhou 11
Success
3 days, 15 hours ago
CentiSpace-1 Group 05
Launch Area 95A - Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Note: Unofficial reports indicate there may be 1 or more additional satellites that failed to separate from the upper stage, however this is not offi…


Long March 12
Success
3 days, 16 hours ago
SatNet LEO Group 22
Commercial LC-2 - Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

A batch of 9 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites for the Chinese state owned SatNet constellation operated by the China Satellite Network Group.…