Core Stage Installation at Kennedy Space Center

Late Saturday night at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA technicians successfully positioned the core stage of the second Space Launch System (SLS) rocket between its two solid-fuel boosters. This significant step took place inside the historic Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), known for assembling famous rockets like the Saturn V and the Space Shuttle.

Technical Process of Positioning the Core Stage

Ground teams utilized heavy-duty cranes to lift the core stage, which features a distinctive butterscotch-orange color, from its cradle within the VAB. The assembly process involved rotating the 212-foot (65-meter) tall structure from a horizontal to a vertical position. The core stage weighs approximately 94 tons (85 metric tons) and is set to hold about 730,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant at liftoff.

This core stage is a crucial component of the Artemis II mission, which aims to send astronauts on a journey around the moon in the near future, specifically targeting launch opportunities for next year.

Connecting the Core Stage to the Boosters

After the core stage was suspended by a powerful 325-ton crane, it was carefully lowered between the previously stacked solid rocket boosters on the launch platform situated in High Bay 3 of the VAB. Following this, engineers proceeded to connect the core stage to the boosters at designated load-bearing attachment points and completed essential electrical and data linkages.

The Upcoming Integration Steps

The next phase involves placing a cone-shaped adapter atop the core stage, followed by the upper stage of the rocket and an additional adapter ring. Finally, the Orion spacecraft, which will host the four-person Artemis II crew on their 10-day mission through deep space, will be integrated. This crewed flight represents a landmark moment in the Artemis program, aiming eventually to establish a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.

Future Milestones for Artemis II

With the core stage arriving from Louisiana last year, progress has been steady, despite some previous delays. Additional recent achievements include the installation of solar panels on the Orion spacecraft and integration work on its service module. Moving forward, the Orion spacecraft will undergo fueling and preparation for attaching its Launch Abort System before joining the core stage in the VAB.

Navigating this complex timeline, the Artemis program aims for a tentative launch in April 2026. As the first crewed lunar flight since 1972, Artemis II will pave the way for future missions, including the planned Artemis III mission, which aims to land astronauts on the lunar south pole.