Space Launch System

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) is a heavy-lift rocket, designed to offer a greater payload capacity than any before it. The Block 1 SLS was used by Artemis I, and has so far met or exceeded performance expectations. Rather than having a single fixed design, it is intended to be adaptable, so that it can be be manufactured in increasingly more powerful configurations, to accommodate missions with long range or heavy payload requirements. The goal is for the SLS to facilitate trips first to earth's moon, then to Mars. This rocket system is primarily contracted out to Boeing.

Configurations

The crew and cargo configurations of Block 1, Block 1B, and Block 2

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.

Block 1B

In the Block 1B configuration, SLS is planned to carry 84,000 lbs into deep space. This is enough for not just the Orion crew module, but also a significant amount of cargo.

Block 2

The Block 2 design is intended to carry 101,000 lbs into deep space. This is planned for use in moving significant amounts of hardware into space, and ultimately, to Mars.

Missions

Artemis I

A Block 1 SLS rocket powered the Artemis I mission, which launched on November 16, 2022. This was a successful unmanned mission orbiting the moon.

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. Although this was the main selling point of Artemis II under President Biden, President Trump's administration walked back the intensive marketing campaign over this.

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

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.