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The first Artemis rocket stage is guided toward NASA’s Pegasus barge Jan. 8

NASA’s Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft launches on the Artemis I flight test, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s Artemis I mission is the first integrated flight test of the agency’s deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and ground systems. SLS and Orion launched at 1:47 a.m. EST, from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center.

Space Launch System

Combining power and capability, NASA’s Space Launch System rocket is part of NASA’s backbone for deep space exploration and Artemis. SLS is the only rocket that can send Orion, astronauts, and cargo directly to the Moon in a single launch.

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Hooray for SLS! Book Cover

NASA Releases Hooray for SLS! Children's Book

Hooray for SLS! is the first in a series of illustrated children's books that aims to introduce young explorers to NASA's Artemis campaign. In addition to a downloadable version of the book, coloring sheets, and student activities, parents and educators can watch and listen to a read aloud version of the book on YouTube.

We Are Going

Artemis Blog

As NASA prepares for the first crewed flights of SLS, the Artemis blog is a source of information on Artemis launch and exploration progress and preparations.

A close-up view of NASA's Orion spacecraft atop the Space Launch System at Launch Complex 39B with a full Moon in the background.

A full Moon is in view from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 14, 2022. The Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft, atop the mobile launcher, are being prepared for a wet dress rehearsal to practice timelines and procedures for launch.

NASA/Ben Smegelsky

Reference Guide

The SLS Reference Guide is the go-to source for information on the SLS rocket’s initial Block 1 configuration for NASA’s early Artemis missions, including its design, capabilities, major components, and manufacturing, testing, assembly, and launch activities. This document was initially prepared for Artemis I launch activities.

Additional Resources

Media Resources

Access program fact sheets, archived news, imagery assets for media, soundbites, and media contact information

SLS/Artemis personnel speak to students attending the Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC) in February 2023 held at Space Center Houston in Houston, TX.

Public Engagement

Explore outreach opportunities and events, hands-on activities, monthly highlights, educator guides, and other downloadable content about SLS

Liftoff! NASA’s Space Launch System carrying the Orion spacecraft lifts off the pad at Launch Complex 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 1:47 a.m. EST on Nov. 16, 2022. The first in a series of increasingly complex missions, Artemis I will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human presence to the Moon and beyond. The primary goal of Artemis I is to thoroughly test the integrated systems before crewed missions by operating the spacecraft in a deep space environment, testing Orion’s heat shield, and recovering the crew module after reentry, descent, and splashdown.

SLS Video Galleries

Watch the latest videos to learn more about the rocket and its progress to the pad for future flights

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher at Launch 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Launching Science & Technology

Learn how the SLS rocket’s evolvable design makes it possible to fly more types of missions and enable science and discovery to other deep space destinations

Featured Video

“Fuel” and Fire: NASA’s Artemis Missions to the Moon, feat. Metallica

What do Metallica and NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon have in common? Both love “Fuel” and fire. See footage of the Artemis I launch scored by Metallica’s “Fuel.”

Learn More about Artemis

Galleries

NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket’s ICPS (interim cryogenic propulsion stage), with its single RL10 engine, produces 24,750 pounds of thrust to provide in-space propulsion for the agency’s Artemis II and III missions, the first crewed missions under Artemis. Like the mega rocket’s core stage, the ICPS uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to power its RL10 engine, manufactured by Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3Harris Technologies company. The ICPS is built by ULA (United Launch Alliance) and Boeing. In addition to providing in-space propulsion, the ICPS also contains avionics to fly the mission after core stage separation until NASA’s Orion spacecraft separates from the ICPS to venture to the Moon.

Infographics

Space Launch System Block 1B in flight

Illustrations

The NASA Michoud Assembly Facility workforce and with other agency team members take a “family photo” with the SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for Artemis II in the background. The core stage will help launch the first crewed flight of NASA’s SLS rocket for the agency’s Artemis II mission. The move marked the first time a fully assembled Moon rocket stage for a crewed mission has rolled out from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans since the Apollo Program, The core stage was moved onto the agency’s Pegasus barge, where it will be ferried to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The core stage for the SLS mega rocket is the largest stage NASA has ever produced. At 212 feet tall, the stage consists of five major elements, including two huge propellant tanks that collectively hold more than 733,000 gallons of super chilled liquid propellant to feed four RS-25 engines at its base. During launch and flight, the stage will operate for just over eight minutes, producing more than 2 million pounds of thrust to help send a crew of four astronauts inside NASA’s Orion spacecraft onward to the Moon. NASA is working to land the first woman, first person of color, and its first international partner astronaut on the Moon under Artemis. SLS is part of NASA’s backbone for deep space exploration, along with the Orion spacecraft and Gateway in orbit around the Moon and commercial human landing systems, next-generation space, next-generational spacesuits, and rovers on the lunar surface. SLS is the only rocket that can send Orion, astronauts, and supplies to the Moon in a single launch.

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