Space Launch System (SLS)

In-active

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

None

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
    2948.0 T
  • Thrust
    39000.0 kN
Family
  • Name
    Space Launch System (SLS)
  • Family
  • Variant
    Block 1B
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Space Launch System Block 1B
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
    $2000000000
  • Low Earth Orbit
    105000.0 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Government
Administrator: Bill Nelson
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 1B | Artemis IV

National Aeronautics and Space Administration | United States of America
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
TBD September, 2028
Status: To Be Determined
Unknown Mission

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


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SLS Block 1B | Artemis V

National Aeronautics and Space Administration | United States of America
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
TBD September, 2029
Status: To Be Determined
Unknown Mission

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


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SLS Block 1B | Artemis VI

National Aeronautics and Space Administration | United States of America
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
TBD September, 2030
Status: To Be Determined
Unknown Mission

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


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SLS Block 1B | Artemis VII

National Aeronautics and Space Administration | United States of America
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
TBD September, 2031
Status: To Be Determined
Unknown Mission

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


Explore Share

Falcon 9
Success
2 days, 6 hours ago
Starlink Group 9-11
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 20 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Long March 4B
Success
2 days, 12 hours ago
Haiyang 4-01
Launch Complex 9 - Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Next generation Chinese ocean salinity measurements satellite to study ocean climatic changes and its effects on ecology and biological cycles.


Falcon 9
Success
4 days, 14 hours ago
Starlink Group 6-69
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Falcon 9
Success
4 days, 18 hours ago
Koreasat 6A
Launch Complex 39A - Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

The Koreasat 6A spacecraft, built by Thales Alenia Space, will have 20 transponders for fixed satellite services and six for TV broadcasting to repla…


Kinetica 1
Success
5 days, 7 hours ago
15 satellites
Launch Area 130 - Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Launch of 15 satellites on share-ride to SSO: * Shiyan 26 A/B/C * Jilin-1 High Resolution-05B * Jilin-1 Platform-02A-03 * Yunyao-1 31-36 * Xig…