NASA Upgrades Its SLS Mega-Rocket Design to Make It a More Powerful Beast for Future Artemis Missions

NASA has unveiled the upgraded design for its Space Launch System (SLS) mega rocket as it gears up for its first crewed Artemis missions.

Dubbed Block 1B, this enhanced version of the SLS boasts enhanced capabilities and is poised to facilitate future lunar missions, including Artemis IV.

Block 1B Configuration of NASA SLS Rocket

The development of Block 1B represents a pivotal phase in NASA's ambitious space exploration agenda as the agency endeavors to construct, evaluate, and integrate the next iteration of its SLS rocket.

With the Block 1B configuration, NASA aims to transport crew members and substantial payloads to the lunar surface seamlessly in a single launch.

Preparatory efforts are underway at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, where early manufacturing processes are in progress. Concurrently, the agency is gearing up for the green run test series for the upgraded upper stage at the Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

While retaining its predecessor's core stage and solid rocket booster design, Block 1B incorporates two pivotal evolutionary enhancements to bolster the SLS' efficacy for future lunar and deep-space missions.

The introduction of a more powerful second stage and an adapter for large cargoes will expand the possibilities for Artemis' future missions.

"The Space Launch System Block 1B rocket will be the primary transportation for astronauts to the Moon for years to come," James Burnum, deputy manager of the NASA Block 1B Development Office, said in a statement.

"We are building on the SLS Block 1 design, testing, and flight experience to develop safe, reliable transportation that will send bigger and heavier hardware to the Moon in a single launch than existing rockets," he added.

From ICPS to EUS

The transition from the interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) to the exploration upper stage (EUS) marks a significant enhancement in the SLS' in-space propulsion capabilities.

According to NASA, the EUS, equipped with four engines, promises extended operational durations following launch, facilitating more extensive mission profiles and payloads.

Moreover, the universal stage adapter offers expansive cargo capacity, accommodating modules for NASA's Gateway outpost and facilitating scientific endeavors at the lunar surface.

These upgrades are anticipated to augment the SLS' payload capacity from 59,000 pounds to approximately 84,000 pounds, significantly enhancing its utility for forthcoming lunar missions.

NASA aims to send the first female, the first person of color, and its first international partner astronaut to the moon as part of the Artemis program.

SLS is a crucial component of NASA's infrastructure for deep space exploration, alongside Orion and the Gateway orbiting the moon, as well as commercial human landing systems, advanced spacesuits, and lunar surface rovers.

According to NASA, SLS is also the sole rocket capable of delivering Orion spacecraft, astronauts, and essential supplies to the moon in a single launch.