Space Launch System (SLS): NASA's Moon rocket simplified

The Artemis III SLS rocket is already in production, with its largest component headed to NASA's Kennedy Space Center for vertical integration. Thanks to the recent decision by NASA to standardize its launch architecture for a higher launch cadence, SLS will see a third flight in the current configuration with the mission slated for next year, before a change to the upper stage is made with Artemis IV the following year. With better-than-expected performance of the massive rocket during Artemis I and the recent Artemis II, Artemis III will be a test of the human landing systems in Earth orbit.