Space Launch System family

Space Launch System (SLS)

ActiveUnited States National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationSpec: Block 1

The Space Launch System (SLS) is an American Space Shuttle-derived heavy expendable launch vehicle. It is part of NASA's deep space exploration plans including as the main launch vehicle of the Artemis program. SLS follows the cancellation of the Constellation program, and is to replace the retired Space Shuttle.

Flights flown25 scheduled

Success rate100%2/2

Payload to LEO95,000kg

Cost per kg to LEO$21,053$2B per launch

Maiden flight2022-11-16

Peak year20221 flight

Space Launch System (SLS) is built by National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States. It first flew on 16 November 2022.

Flight record

7 records

100% success rate2 of 2 flown

2022peak 2022 · 1 flight2026

First flight2022-11-16

Latest flight2026-04-01

Failures0

Consecutive successes2

Fastest turnaround1232d 15h

Payload

Per mission profile

Low Earth orbit	95,000kg
Launch cost	$2B
Cost per kg to LEO	$21,053

Vehicle

Block 1 spec

Stages	2
Length	98m
Diameter	8.4m
Launch mass	2628t
Liftoff thrust	39,000kN
Maiden flight	2022-11-16
Reusable	No

Variant lineage

2 configurations

Each configuration of Space Launch System (SLS) is tracked separately upstream. The specifications above describe Space Launch System Block 1 only: the canonical configuration, chosen as the active one, or the most-flown where none is active. They are not a blend across the family. The flight record below covers every Space Launch System (SLS) flight.

Configuration	LL2 launches	LEO kg	Maiden	Status
Space Launch System Block 1	2	95,000	2022-11-16	Active
Space Launch System Block 1B	0	105,000		Retired

Pads used

1 pad

Launch Complex 39B7

Orbits delivered

3 orbits

Lunar Orbit3Low Earth Orbit1Lunar flyby1

Launch history

7 launches

Date	Mission	Pad	Orbit	Outcome
2026-04-01	SLS Block 1 \| Artemis II	Launch Complex 39B	Lunar flyby	Success
2022-11-16	SLS Block 1 \| Artemis I	Launch Complex 39B	Lunar Orbit	Success
TBD	SLS Block 1 \| Artemis III	Launch Complex 39B	Low Earth Orbit	Scheduled
TBD	SLS Block 1B \| Artemis IV	Launch Complex 39B	Lunar Orbit	Scheduled
TBD	SLS Block 1B \| Artemis V	Launch Complex 39B	Lunar Orbit	Scheduled
TBD	SLS Block 1B \| Artemis VI	Launch Complex 39B		Scheduled
TBD	SLS Block 1B \| Artemis VII	Launch Complex 39B		Scheduled

Specifications from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs, launch records from Space Index. Derived figures are computed here; see sources and method.

Further reading: Wikipedia · Operator page