NASA Rolls Out Core Stage for Artemis III Moon Mission

NASA has moved the core stage of its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, intended for the Artemis III mission, from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This 212-foot-tall section, comprising the liquid hydrogen tank, liquid oxygen tank, intertank, and forward skirt, is a critical component for the planned 2027 crewed lunar landing.

"Seeing this SLS rocket hardware roll out is a powerful reminder of our progress toward returning humans to the lunar surface," said Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator of NASA's Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate.

The core stage will undergo final preparations at Kennedy Space Center, including vertical integration and assembly with other rocket components. Once fully integrated, the SLS will launch the Orion spacecraft and its crew into orbit, where they will test rendezvous and docking capabilities with commercial spacecraft designed for lunar landings.

The Artemis III mission is a pivotal step in NASA's Artemis program, aiming to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon and lay the groundwork for future missions to Mars. The SLS is the only rocket capable of sending Orion, astronauts, and supplies to the Moon in a single launch.

"This is the backbone of Artemis III. As it heads to Florida for final integration, we are one step closer to testing the critical capabilities needed to land Americans on the Moon, and ultimately, paving the way for our first crewed missions to Mars," Glaze added.

The core stage was developed by Boeing, responsible for its overall design and assembly, and L3Harris Technologies, which manufactures the rocket's RS-25 engines. This rollout signifies a major milestone in NASA's efforts to return humans to the lunar surface after more than five decades.