Arrival of Key Booster Segments for Artemis II Mission at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center

On September 25, 2023, the Kennedy Space Center in Florida received the ten motor segments that will constitute the twin five-segment solid rocket boosters of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the Artemis II mission. Owing to their substantial weight, these segments were transported via rail through eight states using specialized vehicles to reach the Florida-based spaceport. Personnel from NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems are tasked with the processing of each segment at Kennedy Space Center in anticipation of the forthcoming launch. The Artemis II mission, featuring astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, will orbit the Moon and serve as the first crewed test for the Orion spacecraft’s comprehensive system functionalities. Credit: NASA

The motor segments that are critical for the Artemis II lunar mission have been delivered to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. These segments will be assembled to form essential boosters that generate a significant proportion of the liftoff thrust. The Artemis II mission represents a crucial crewed test of the Orion spacecraft, featuring a team of four astronauts.

The booster motor segments, which arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on September 25, will make up the twin solid rocket boosters of the SLS rocket. These boosters are responsible for delivering more than 75% of the total thrust needed for liftoff during the Artemis missions to the Moon.

Given their substantial weight, the ten motor segments were conveyed across eight American states by rail, using specialized transport vehicles. The segments will be processed at the Kennedy Space Center’s Rotation, Processing, and Surge Facility by teams from NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program before their eventual integration in the Vehicle Assembly Building.

An infographic provides an overview of the Space Launch System’s Solid Rocket Booster (SRB), emphasizing its use of a five-segment solid propellant motor. This motor is the most significant component of the booster assembly. Credit: NASA/MSFC

Amit Kshatriya, Deputy Associate Administrator for the Moon to Mars Program Office at NASA Headquarters, indicated that the delivery of these booster segments marks a pivotal moment for the Artemis II mission preparations. Once fully assembled, these boosters will be the most powerful ever constructed for space travel, aiding in sending astronauts to orbit the Moon for the first time in over half a century.

The booster segments were manufactured in Utah by Northrop Grumman, the lead contractor for the SLS solid rocket boosters. These boosters comprise three major assemblies, with the motor segment being the largest. Quality checks will be conducted on the motor segments along with their forward and aft skirt assemblies. Subsequently, the segments will be oriented vertically in preparation for assembly operations specific to the Artemis II mission. Pre-assemblies of the booster’s top and bottom segments had previously been completed at Kennedy’s Booster Fabrication Facility.

Two solid rocket boosters, each with a height of 177 feet, will assist in propelling NASA’s SLS rocket for the Artemis missions to the Moon. These boosters are assembled and readied for launch by the Exploration Ground Systems team at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Credit: NASA/Kevin O’Brien

Upon completion of the processing steps, each major segment will be moved individually to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where they will be assembled to create the 17-story-tall boosters that accompany the SLS rocket on either side. Following this, the integration of the rocket’s core stage will be executed by engineers and technicians. Collectively, the twin boosters and the core stage’s four RS-25 engines will generate in excess of 8.8 million pounds of thrust.

The Artemis II mission, set to be the inaugural crewed flight under the Artemis program, will thoroughly test all systems of the Orion spacecraft. The crew will consist of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, before embarking on future missions to the Moon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Artemis II Mission at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center

More about Artemis II Mission at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center

• NASA’s Official Artemis II Mission Overview
• Kennedy Space Center’s Role in Artemis II
• NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) Information
• Exploration Ground Systems Program at NASA
• Orion Spacecraft Systems Test
• Northrop Grumman’s Role in SLS Rocket Boosters
• The Science of Solid Rocket Boosters
• Crew Members for Artemis II Mission
• RS-25 Engines in SLS Core Stage
• Canadian Space Agency’s Participation in Artemis II