Artemis III Updates

The largest update is that the solid rocket boosters of Artemis III's SLS have been completed! These solid rocket boosters contain 5 fuel segments and 4 other segments, including avionics, aerodynamic surfaces, and more. This brings the total stacking to 9 segments per booster. The segments are shipped to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in the Kennedy Space Center, where they are attached and fused for proper operation at launch. They were finished in late September, and they are preparing for attachment with the core stage, the cyrogenic liquid stage that uses 4 RS-25 engines for takeoff. The solid rocket boosters on SLS provide over 75% of the thrust at launch, providing 7.2 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.

With the successful orbital flight of Starship early this October, it brings a better outlook at the mission continuing on time, which is tentatively set for summer of 2027. Blue Origin has not been able to continue launch testing of their New Glenn rocket, designed to carry their option for a lunar lander due to the launchpad explosion that occurred in May of 2026. Blue Origin is working on repairs for the launchpad after the extensive damage caused by the explosion. More updates will follow as Artemis III progresses.