Home / Science / Artemis II: NASA's Shuttle-Inspired Moon Rocket
Artemis II: NASA's Shuttle-Inspired Moon Rocket
2 Apr
Summary
- Artemis II relies on rocket components from the space shuttle.
- NASA's SLS rocket was built by Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and ULA.
- Future missions will feature landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Artemis II represents a departure from current private space ventures, harkening back to an era where NASA led spacecraft design. The Space Launch System rocket, central to Artemis II, incorporates Congress's specifications, largely remixing components from the retired space shuttle program.
Boeing constructed the core stage, utilizing leftover shuttle engines, while Northrop Grumman provided the solid rocket boosters. The upper stage, an interim cryogenic propulsion system, was built by United Launch Alliance, a Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture, and is a modified version of their Delta IV upper stage.
The Orion capsule was built by Lockheed Martin, with its service module contributed by the European Space Agency via Airbus. Although SpaceX and Blue Origin are not part of Artemis II, they are crucial for future missions, developing the landers for lunar surface operations. Artemis III will involve practicing docking with these landers, with landings targeted for Artemis IV and V in 2028.
