Changes

[[File:NASA SLS configurations 1,1B, 2.png|400px|thumbnail|The crew and cargo configurations of Block 1, Block 1B, and Block 2]]

[[File:NASA SLS configurations 1,1B, 2.png|400px|thumbnail|The crew and cargo configurations of Block 1, Block 1B, and Block 2]]

===Block 1===

===Block 1===

The first variant, called Block 1, can deliver a 59,500 pound payload to the moon. This design was used by Artemis I, and is planned for use also by Artemis II and III.<ref name=NASA_SLS>https://www.nasa.gov/reference/space-launch-system/</ref>

The first variant, called Block 1, can deliver a 59,500 pound payload to the moon. This design was used by Artemis I and Artemis II,<ref>https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/sls-block-1-artemis-ii/</ref> and is planned for use by Artemis III.<ref name=NASA_SLS>https://www.nasa.gov/reference/space-launch-system/</ref>

===Block 1B===

===Block 1B===

===Artemis II===

===Artemis II===

A Block 1 SLS rocket will also be responsible for Artemis II, a 10-day mission orbiting the moon with an Orion crew capsule. Four astronauts will be on board. In what can best be described as a political stunt, NASA proudly proclaimed that had deliberately selected a woman, and a man with dark skin, to be two of the four crew members.<ref name=boeing_SLS>https://www.boeing.com/space/space-launch-system</ref><ref>https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/nasa-names-first-woman-first-black-astronauts-for-artemis-ii-moon-mission-3917905</ref> Although this was the main selling point of Artemis II under President [[Joe Biden|Biden]], President Trump's administration walked back the intensive marketing campaign over this.<ref>https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/nasa-dei-artemis-moon-landing-1.7493202</ref>

A Block 1 SLS rocket was responsible for Artemis II, a 9-day lunar flyby mission with an Orion crew capsule. Four astronauts were on board. In what can best be described as a political stunt, NASA proudly proclaimed that had deliberately selected a woman, and a man with dark skin, to be two of the four crew members.<ref name=boeing_SLS>https://www.boeing.com/space/space-launch-system</ref><ref>https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/nasa-names-first-woman-first-black-astronauts-for-artemis-ii-moon-mission-3917905</ref> Although this was the main selling point of Artemis II under President [[Joe Biden|Biden]], President Trump's administration walked back the intensive marketing campaign over this.<ref>https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/nasa-dei-artemis-moon-landing-1.7493202</ref>

===Artemis III===

===Artemis III===

The final mission planned for a Block 1 SLS rocket, Artemis III is planned to actually land astronauts on the moon, on its southern pole.<ref>https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-iii/</ref>

Originally planned to be the final use of the Block 1 SLS rocket, Artemis III was slated to be a lunar landing mission, putting astronauts on its southern pole.<ref>https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-iii/</ref> However, this plan was revised in March 2026,<ref>https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/nasa-is-overhauling-its-artemis-program-what-does-that-mean-for-humanitys-return-to-the-moon</ref> with Artemis III now intending to stay in earth's orbit, and test docking capabilities between the Orion capsule and commercial spacecraft.<ref>https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-iii/</ref>

After this mission, Artemis IV through Artemis VIII are slated to use Block 1B rockets.

 

===Artemis IV===

===Artemis IV===

Upgrading to the Block 1B engine, Artemis IV is intended to establish a persistent lunar space station. This planned station, named Gateway, will be deployed in a polar orbit prior to their arrival. However, this mission will require the staging of multiple modules and other materials. About a year before the Artemis IV mission launch, a [[SpaceX]] Falcon Heavy rocket will deliver the Power and Propulsion Element (built by Maxar), and the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (built by Northrop Grumman) to a lunar orbit. Additionally, a SpaceX Starship Human Landing System will bring spacesuits for moonwalks, and a SpaceX Dragon XL logistics module will bring science experiments and other supplies for the mission. Finally, Artemis IV is planned to bring the both the crew, and the International Habitation module (being called I-Hab), from the European Space Agency.<ref>https://www.nasa.gov/general/nasas-artemis-iv-building-first-lunar-space-station/</ref>

 

The original announcement for the Artemis program, has since been adjusted. Origninally, this mission was to utilize the new Block 1B engine, and establish a persistent lunar space station. This planned station, named Gateway, was to be be deployed in a polar orbit prior to their arrival. However, this kind of mission requires the staging of multiple modules and other materials. About a year before the Artemis IV mission launch, a [[SpaceX]] Falcon Heavy rocket was planned to deliver the Power and Propulsion Element (built by Maxar), and the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (built by Northrop Grumman) to a lunar orbit. Additionally, a SpaceX Starship Human Landing System was to bring spacesuits for moonwalks, and a SpaceX Dragon XL logistics module was to bring science experiments and other supplies for the mission. Finally, Artemis IV was planned to bring the both the crew, and the International Habitation module (being called I-Hab), from the European Space Agency.<ref>https://www.nasa.gov/general/nasas-artemis-iv-building-first-lunar-space-station/</ref>

 

==References==

==References==