NASA engineers have begun assembling the massive rocket designed to take the first woman to the moon later this decade as part of the Artemis program. A total of 10 segments will form the twin solid rocket boosters before its first liftoff, which is expected to take place next year. The rocket is a key part of NASA's Artemis lunar exploration program, which aims to send the first woman and next man to the Moon by 2024. NASA officials also hope the SLS will be used to reach Mars and other "deep space destinations." Once fully assembled, NASA said the SLS rocket will stand taller than the Statue of Liberty and have about 15% more thrust at liftoff than the Saturn V rockets that powered the Apollo missions about50 years ago, making it the most powerful rocket ever built.

Source: Daily Sun November 25, 2020 20:26 UTC