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Space Launch System

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NASA's Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft ready for a test flight around the Moon, seen at Launch Complex 39B in Florida.

Space Launch System

The Space Launch System (SLS) is a big rocket made by NASA. It helps carry spacecraft on trips to the Moon. The SLS is very important for the Artemis program, which aims to send people back to the Moon.

The rocket first flew in 2022 on a test mission called Artemis I. Later, it will carry people on Artemis II. This made it the second rocket to take humans beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). The SLS is special because it uses parts from older rockets, like the Space Shuttle.

The SLS is built at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It has a strong core stage with four engines. There are also two large solid rocket boosters that give extra power when the rocket takes off. In the future, the SLS will get a new upper stage called the Centaur V to help it go farther.

The SLS is very powerful, but it costs a lot of money to build and launch. Some people think that using other rockets might be cheaper. However, NASA plans to keep using the SLS for many missions to explore space and learn more about our solar system.

Images

Engineers moving the core stage of NASA’s Space Launch System rocket at the Michoud Assembly Facility.
Scientists and engineers test a powerful rocket booster as part of NASA's space exploration program.
A powerful propulsion system designed to help spacecraft travel beyond the Moon as part of NASA's exploration missions.
An artist’s concept showing how NASA’s Space Launch System rocket will evolve to support different missions in space.
NASA moves the Artemis II rocket core stage into the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center for preparation.
A large liquid hydrogen tank being built for NASA’s Artemis II mission, part of the rocket that will help send astronauts to the Moon.
A close-up of the boat-tail structure for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket, part of the Artemis program to send astronauts to the Moon.
NASA technicians prepare the engine section of the Space Launch System rocket for the Artemis III mission, part of America's journey to the Moon and beyond.
The Artemis I Space Launch System and the full Moon at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, ready for a practice launch.
A chart showing NASA's budget for space launches from 2019 and the Artemis I mission.

Related articles

NASA
Artemis program
Low Earth orbit
Space Shuttle
Kennedy Space Center

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Space Launch System, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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