NASA Delivers SLS Rocket Core Stage to Kennedy Space Center for Artemis III

Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.

NASA has transported the core stage, the largest segment of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This milestone advances preparations for the Artemis III mission, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon.

The core stage comprises about 80% of the rocket's structure, featuring two propellant tanks that hold more than 733,000 gallons of super-cooled liquid hydrogen and oxygen. It will operate for over eight minutes during launch, providing more than two million pounds of thrust to carry the Orion spacecraft into orbit.

Boeing is responsible for the design and assembly of the core stage, while L3Harris Technologies supplies the RS-25 engines. After transport, final outfitting and vertical integration will occur at Kennedy Space Center before stacking rocket components for launch preparations.

Artemis III is scheduled for 2027 and will test Orion's ability to rendezvous and dock with commercial spacecraft, supporting future lunar landings for Artemis IV and beyond. This progress supports NASA's goal to return humans to the Moon and establish a foundation for crewed Mars missions.