All Four RS-25 Engines Successfully Attached to NASA’s Artemis II Lunar Rocket Core Stage
Engineers and technicians hailing from NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Boeing, situated at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, have achieved the installation of all four RS-25 engines onto the core stage of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. This monumental feat is a pivotal component of NASA’s Artemis program, which seeks to facilitate the historic lunar mission, placing the first woman and a person of color on the Moon.
At NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, dedicated teams have accomplished the structural integration of all four RS-25 engines onto the core stage of NASA’s Artemis II lunar rocket. This critical flight test marks the agency’s inaugural crewed mission within the Artemis initiative.
The initial engine was incorporated into the core stage of NASA’s SLS rocket on September 11. Subsequently, the second engine was installed on September 15, followed by the third and fourth engines on September 19 and 20, respectively. Technicians, working collaboratively with NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne (an L3Harris Technologies company, and the lead contractor for RS-25 engines), and Boeing (the core stage lead contractor), will now direct their efforts toward the intricate task of securely fastening the engines to the stage and integrating the propulsion and electrical systems within the structure.
The monumental size of the core stage, the largest ever constructed, is indispensable for the ambitious deep-space missions enabled by NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. The core stage, standing tall at 212 feet, constitutes the central framework of the world’s mightiest rocket. Within it, two massive propellant tanks house over 733,000 gallons of super-chilled liquid propellant to power the four RS-25 engines essential for liftoff and the forthcoming journey to Mars.
The Core Stage: The Heart of Artemis II
At 212 feet in height, the SLS core stage serves as the foundational structure of the lunar rocket. Its substantial propellant reservoirs hold an impressive 733,000 gallons of super-chilled liquid propellant, supplying the four RS-25 engines. Simultaneously, the stage’s sophisticated flight computers, avionics, and electrical systems function as the “brains” of the rocket. During the Artemis II mission, the combined thrust of the RS-25 engines will deliver more than 2 million pounds of force for a duration of eight minutes, propelling the Artemis II crew beyond the confines of low-Earth orbit to explore the lunar vicinity.
NASA’s Ambitious Lunar Mission
Within the Artemis program, NASA endeavors to achieve the remarkable feat of landing the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon. The Space Launch System (SLS) stands as a fundamental pillar of NASA’s deep space exploration, alongside the Orion spacecraft and the Gateway, an orbiting outpost around the Moon, along with commercial human landing systems. It is worth noting that the SLS is the sole rocket capable of orchestrating a single mission encompassing Orion, astronauts, and essential supplies to transport humans to the lunar surface.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Artemis II Lunar Rocket
What is the significance of attaching the RS-25 engines to the Artemis II core stage?
Attaching the RS-25 engines to the Artemis II core stage is a crucial milestone in NASA’s Artemis program. It marks progress toward the first crewed mission to the Moon, aiming to land the first woman and person of color on the lunar surface.
How many RS-25 engines were attached to the core stage, and when did this happen?
All four RS-25 engines were successfully attached to the core stage. The installation occurred in stages: the first engine was added on September 11, followed by the second on September 15, and the third and fourth on September 19 and 20, respectively.
What role does the core stage play in NASA’s lunar mission?
The core stage, standing at 212 feet tall, serves as the central structure of the Moon rocket. It houses massive propellant tanks containing over 733,000 gallons of super-chilled liquid propellant, which are essential for powering the four RS-25 engines during liftoff and the journey to Mars. Additionally, the core stage accommodates critical flight computers, avionics, and electrical systems, functioning as the “brains” of the rocket.
How much thrust will the RS-25 engines provide during the Artemis II mission?
During the Artemis II mission, the RS-25 engines will collectively generate more than 2 million pounds of thrust. This tremendous power will propel the Artemis II crew beyond low-Earth orbit for lunar exploration.
What is the overarching goal of NASA’s Artemis program?
NASA’s Artemis program aims to achieve the historic milestone of landing the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon. It encompasses the Space Launch System (SLS) as a critical component, along with the Orion spacecraft, the lunar Gateway outpost, and commercial human landing systems. The SLS is the sole rocket capable of facilitating a single mission that carries Orion, astronauts, and essential supplies to the Moon’s surface.
More about Artemis II Lunar Rocket
- NASA Artemis Program
- RS-25 Engines
- Space Launch System (SLS)
- Artemis II Mission
- NASA’s Deep Space Exploration
