NASA has awarded a $1.79 billion contract to Aerojet Rocketdyne for the production of 18 RS-25 engines for the Space Launch System (SLS) [802cd9ff]. The SLS rocket, which will be used for the Artemis missions to the moon, is the most powerful rocket ever built. The engines will be used for the core stage of the SLS, and this contract will help ensure that NASA has the necessary engines to meet the timeline for the Artemis missions, including the goal of landing astronauts on the moon by 2024 [802cd9ff].
Boeing has delivered the second core stage of the SLS rocket for the Artemis II mission. The 200-foot-tall core stage, built at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility, will be transported to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for integration with other components. The SLS rocket, powered by four RS-25 engines and two solid-fueled booster rockets, will provide 8.8 million pounds of thrust, making it the only rocket capable of carrying both crew and large cargo to the moon and beyond in a single launch. The launch is scheduled for 2025 [cd515e59].
The delivery of the core stage by Boeing reinforces the company's position as a leading aerospace company and showcases its technical prowess and ability to deliver complex aerospace systems. The successful delivery is a positive indicator of Boeing's capability to fulfill major contracts and maintain its position in space exploration [cd515e59].
The Artemis program aims to establish a permanent presence on the moon near the lunar south pole. However, the mission has faced delays due to issues with the Orion spacecraft and life-support hardware. The next mission, Artemis 3, is scheduled for no earlier than September 2026 and will require the completion of key mission hardware, including SpaceX's Starship and new extravehicular activity spacesuits [43b243d5].