NASA's Artemis III Core Stage Arrives at Kennedy Space Center
The core stage of NASA's Artemis III mission has been delivered to Kennedy Space Center, marking a significant step toward the planned 2027 lunar mission.
The core stage of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) for the Artemis III mission arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 27, 2026. This 212-foot-long section, comprising the liquid hydrogen tank, liquid oxygen tank, intertank, and forward skirt, was transported from NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans via the Pegasus barge.
Upon arrival, the core stage was moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where it will be integrated with the engine section and boat-tail to complete the full stage assembly.
Artemis III, scheduled for launch in 2027, aims to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between the Orion spacecraft and commercial landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin. This mission is a critical step toward NASA's goal of returning humans to the lunar surface during Artemis IV in 2028.
