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
Acting Administrator: James Free
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.


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Falcon 9
In Flight
1 hour, 4 minutes ago
Starlink Group 15-1
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 22 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Long March 3
Success
14 hours, 31 minutes ago
ChinaSat 10R
Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) - Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Ku-band geostationary communication satellite for China Satcom at 110.5° East, replacing ChinaSat 10.


Falcon 9
Success
1 day, 11 hours ago
Starlink Group 12-14
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 23 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Falcon 9
Success
4 days, 3 hours ago
Starlink Group 10-12
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 23 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system. First Starlink launch …


Electron
Success
4 days, 3 hours ago
Fasten Your Space Belts (BlackSky Gen-3 1)
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B - Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

The first of five BlackSky Technology missions to deploy its new next-generation BlackSky Gen-3 satellites. The commercial constellation of Gen-3 sat…