Space Launch System facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Art of SLS launch
An artist's picture of the Space Launch System launching

The Space Launch System (SLS) is a NASA rocket. It is a heavy-lift launch vehicle. It is the most powerful rocket ever built. The SLS is a replacement for the Space Shuttle, which retired in July 2011. The first flight of the SLS will be in 2017.

Images for kids

  • Orange tank SLS evolution - Post CDR

    Space Launch System's planned upgrade path

  • SLS on MLP at night

    Rendering of the SLS Block 1 with its older black-and-white paint scheme, showing the large core stage, two 5-segment SRBs, and the smaller upper stage.

  • Orange tank SLS launch through clouds - Post CDR

    Artist's rendering of a Block 1 SLS

  • Saturn V-Shuttle-Ares I-Ares V-Ares IV-SLS Block I&II

    Comparison of the Saturn V, Space Shuttle, Ares I, Ares V, Ares IV, SLS Block 1 and SLS Block 2

  • Common Extensible Cryogenic Engine

    An RL10 engine, like the one pictured above, will be used as the second stage engine in both the ICPS and EUS upper stages.

  • Bimodal Nuclear Thermal Rocket

    The Bimodal Nuclear Thermal Rocket engines on the Mars Transfer Vehicle (MTV). Cold launched, it would be assembled in-orbit by a number of Block 2 SLS payload lifts. The Orion crew capsule is docked on the right.


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Space Launch System Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.