Artemis III SLS Core Stage Integrated with Boosters at Kennedy Space Center
NASA News Releases reports that on October 28, the Artemis III Space Launch System (SLS) core stage was integrated with twin solid rocket boosters inside the Vehicle Assembly Building's High Bay 3 at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission will carry NASA astronauts and an ESA astronaut to test rendezvous and docking capabilities.
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According to NASA News Releases, on October 28, the Artemis III SLS core stage was integrated alongside the twin solid rocket boosters within High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Technicians utilized a unique lifting beam to move the 212-foot rocket stage from High Bay 2 to position it onto the mobile launcher.
Following the completion of necessary testing and checkouts, teams are scheduled to move the core stage and booster stack to Launch Pad 39B. At this location, a tanking test will be performed, which involves loading liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen fuel exclusively into the core stage, allowing launch teams to practice countdown procedures and timelines.
The Artemis III mission is slated to carry NASA astronauts Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio, Andre Douglas, and ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano aboard the Orion spacecraft, which will be placed on top of the SLS rocket. This mission aims to test the rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft provided by Blue Origin and SpaceX before a subsequent mission intended to land astronauts on the Moon.
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