SLS

Astronomy

NASA budget axes several missions, SLS and a space station

The release of NASA's latest budget reveals the Orion spacecraft and Lunar Gateway space station are getting the chop. The US$18.8-billion total figure decreases spending by $6 billion, or 24%, as the space agency increases funding for crewed Moon and Mars missions.

Carrying the uncrewed Orion spacecraft, the SLS lifts off from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center

Astronomy

NASA successfully launches its largest-ever rocket, the Space Launch System

The most powerful rocket in the world, NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) successfully lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center at 1:47am EST this Wednesday. It proceeded to carry the uncrewed Orion spacecraft into orbit, as part of the Artemis I mission.

NASA's Space Launch System and Orion capsule at the launchpad on Friday

Astronomy

NASA's massive Moon rocket sidelined by a hydrogen leak

It's another return to the drawing board for NASA scientists and engineers working on the Artemis I mission, which was due to lift off on Saturday until a hydrogen leak led to a last-minute scrubbing.

Illustration of Artemis astronauts on the Moon

Astronomy

NASA updates Artemis Plan for returning astronauts to the Moon in 2024

NASA has released an updated outline of its Artemis program to return US astronauts to the Moon and set up a permanent human presence there, beginning with the landing of the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

Boeing is building the massive 212-ft Space Launch System (SLS) core stage for NASA’s Artemis I mission

Astronomy

Boeing tapped to build 10 core stages for Artemis missions

NASA has awarded Boeing a contract to provide 10 more core stages for its Space Launch System, an agreement that also includes a provision for up to eight Exploration Upper Stages for Artemis missions three through 12.