Space Launch System (SLS)

Active

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Nov. 16, 2022

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
    2628.0 T
  • Thrust
    39000.0 kN
Family
  • Name
    Space Launch System (SLS)
  • Family
  • Variant
    Block 1
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Space Launch System Block 1
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
    $2000000000
  • Low Earth Orbit
    95000.0 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 1 | Artemis II

National Aeronautics and Space Administration | United States of America
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
February 06, 2026
Status: To Be Confirmed
Mission:

Artemis II is the first crewed mission as part of the Artemis program. Artemis II will send a crew of 4 - 3 Americans and 1 Canadian around the moon and return them back to Earth. The mission will test the core systems of NASA's Orion spacecraft including the critical life support system, among other systems which could not be tested during Artemis I due to the lack of crew onboard.

Lunar flyby
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SLS Block 1 | Artemis III

National Aeronautics and Space Administration | United States of America
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
TBD June, 2027
Status: To Be Determined
Unknown Mission

There are no mission or payload details available for this launch.


Explore Share

SLS Block 1 | Artemis I

National Aeronautics and Space Administration | United States of America
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
Nov. 16, 2022, 6:47 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Artemis I (previously Exploration Mission 1) is the first flight on Space Launch System and the second flight of Orion crew spacecraft. Mission is planned to be an uncrewed circumlunar flight.

Lunar Orbit
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Electron
Success
1 day, 1 hour ago
Don't Be Such A Square (STP-S30)
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (Launch Area 0 C) - Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA

STP-S30 is a complex mission that will deliver research experiments and technology demonstrations to orbit for the DoD and contribute to future space…


Falcon 9
Success
1 day, 14 hours ago
Starlink Group 15-13
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 27 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Falcon 9
Success
1 day, 16 hours ago
Starlink Group 6-99
Launch Complex 39A - Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Ariane 62
Success
2 days, 1 hour ago
Galileo L14 (FOC FM33 & FM34)
Ariane Launch Area 4 - Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana

Payload consists of two satellites for Europe's Galileo navigation system.


Atlas V 551
Success
2 days, 21 hours ago
Amazon Leo (LA-04)
Space Launch Complex 41 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

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