Exploration Upper Stage

E65529

The Exploration Upper Stage is a powerful second stage designed to enhance NASA’s Space Launch System rocket’s capability to send heavier payloads and crewed missions deeper into space, including to the Moon and beyond.


Statements (46)
Predicate Object
instanceOf rocket upper stage
spacecraft propulsion stage
agencyProgram NASA Artemis program
associatedWith Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B
countryOfOrigin United States
customer NASA Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate
designedBy Boeing
designedForMission Artemis IV
Artemis V
Artemis program
designedForOrbitInsertion high-energy escape trajectories
trans-lunar injection
designedTo enable co-manifested payloads with Orion
increase SLS payload capacity to the Moon
support missions to deep space destinations beyond the Moon
support missions to lunar Gateway
designedToOperate in space vacuum
designedToSupport long-duration missions beyond low Earth orbit
engineType RL10C-3
hasFeature four-engine configuration
increased propellant capacity compared to ICPS
multiple restart capability
intendedFirstUse Artemis IV mission
launchVehicle Space Launch System Block 1B cargo configuration
Space Launch System Block 1B crew configuration
manufacturer Boeing
missionProfile second-stage ascent and translunar injection burns
numberOfEngines 4
operator NASA
partOf SLS Block 1B
SLS Block 2
Space Launch System
programStartApproximate mid-2010s
propellantType liquid hydrogen
liquid oxygen
propulsionType cryogenic
purpose enable crewed missions to the Moon
send heavier payloads beyond low Earth orbit
support deep space exploration missions
relatedInfrastructure Mobile Launcher 2
relatedProgram Space Launch System program
replaces Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage
stageNumber second stage
status in development
usesFuel liquid hydrogen
usesOxidizer liquid oxygen


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