On December 23, 2024, NASA announced significant advancements in the assembly process for the Space Launch System (SLS) rockets intended for the Artemis Moon missions at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The Vehicle Assembly Building's High Bay 2 has been equipped with new tooling to facilitate the vertical integration of the SLS core stage. This development was showcased when teams successfully suspended the fully assembled core stage 225 feet in the air, allowing for essential vertical work before it is positioned on mobile launcher 1. Concurrently, solid rocket booster stacking for Artemis II continues inside High Bay 3.
With the new setup, technicians from NASA and Boeing gain 360-degree access to the core stage, both internally and externally. The design and construction of the Core Stage Vertical Integration Center tool, which maintains the core stage in a vertical position, was led by Futuramic Tool and Engineering.
Chad Bryant, deputy manager of the NASA SLS Stages Office, noted that the completion of High Bay 2 tooling ahead of schedule provides an opportunity to refine the processes involved in handling the core stage.
This enhancement effectively doubles the usable space within the VAB, enabling simultaneous operations in High Bay 2 and High Bay 3 while optimizing space at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans for future SLS core stage components.
High Bay 2 has historically supported NASA's exploration programs, including the stacking of the Saturn V rocket during the Apollo era and various functions during the Space Shuttle Program.
Under the new assembly model for Artemis III, all major structures of the SLS core stage will be fully produced at NASA Michoud. After manufacturing and thermal protection system application, the engine section will be transported to Kennedy for final outfitting.
Steve Wofford, manager of the SLS Stages Office, emphasized that the vertical capability in High Bay 2 allows for more efficient core stage construction through parallel processing.
The fully assembled core stage for Artemis II arrived at Kennedy on July 23, 2024, and was recently lifted into the newly outfitted high bay. Meanwhile, teams at NASA Michoud are preparing the remaining core stage elements for Artemis III.
The four RS-25 engines for Artemis III are completed at NASA's Stennis Space Center and are set to be transported to Kennedy in 2025. Work is also ongoing for major core stage and exploration upper stage structures for Artemis IV and subsequent missions.
NASA aims to land the first woman, first person of color, and its first international partner astronaut on the Moon through the Artemis program, with the SLS serving as a crucial component for deep space exploration.