NASAÕs new rocket for deep space exploration

NASAÕs Space Launch System (SLS), a deep-space heavy-lift rocket designed to enable missions to the moon, asteroids, Mars and beyond, is due to make its first flight in 2018

Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1), 2018: First mission will send unmanned Orion craft to moon and back

EM-2, 2021: Manned mission to asteroid robotically captured in lunar orbit

Block II (manned variety), standing at 117m tall, will be largest rocket ever built

Statue of Liberty to scale

Orion crew vehicle

PAYLOAD

VARIATIONS

Block I

Block IA

Block II

Manned

Unmanned

Manned

Unmanned

2022-2031

2032 onwards

MISSION CONCEPTS

Crewed mission to pick up Mars soil samples and return to Earth. Numerous cargo flights

New evolved SLS configuration for manned and cargo launches

Solid Rocket booster

Thrust: Four RS-25 Space Shuttle engines

ORION MULTI-PURPOSE CREW VEHICLE

Launch abort: Can propel crew module to safety in event of launch problem 

Crew module

Service module

Adapter

Crew: Four astronauts 

Core stage

metres

Sources: NASA, space.com, aerospaceguide.net