L3Harris Technologies has delivered the four RS-25 engines to power the core stage of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket as part of the agency’s next Artemis mission set for launch in 2027.
“This is a major milestone in our effort to return astronauts to the lunar surface,” said Kristin Houston, President, Space Propulsion & Power Systems, Missile Solutions, L3Harris. “This delivery keeps Artemis III on track for launch in 2027 and supports NASA’s transition to an annual launch cadence that will enable regular missions to the Moon.”
Artemis III is slated to be the third SLS flight and will test integrated operations between the Orion spacecraft and one or both commercial lunar landers in low Earth orbit. The mission will also mark the first time technicians will integrate the engines with the core stage in a vertical position. This change will simplify and accelerate the installation process while providing better access to each engine.
The four RS-25 engines for Artemis III previously supported 36 space shuttle flights, including International Space Station assembly missions and the historic return to space of Project Mercury astronaut and former Sen. John Glenn.
L3Harris upgraded these engines for the first four Artemis missions with modern electronics and new insulation to protect them from the SLS’s harsh thermal environment. The updated engines will also operate at higher thrust levels than during NASA’s space shuttle era.
Subsequent missions will use newly built engines that incorporate modern manufacturing techniques and other enhancements to reduce costs while maintaining their performance and reliability.
