NASA has begun assembling the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket that will send humans to the lunar surface on a mission in 2027. The process started at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the SLS engine section and boat tail are being moved from one facility to another. The rocket’s core stage is also currently under construction at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.
The Artemis III mission aims to land humans on the lunar South Pole, but its success depends on various factors, including funding and the performance of SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System. If the program is canceled or significantly cut due to budget constraints, it could be the final flight of the SLS rocket.
NASA’s current plan involves a rendezvous with Starship for a safe lunar landing, but the recent test flights of Starship have not gone as expected. The agency is now under pressure to meet its 2027 deadline, despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the mission.
The engine section of the SLS is currently missing the former Space Shuttle Main Engines, which are set to be delivered from NASA’s Stennis Space Center in early 2026. With funding fights and Starship stumbles still casting a shadow over the Artemis III mission, it remains to be seen whether NASA will be able to overcome these challenges and achieve its ambitious goal of landing humans on the Moon by 2027.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/19/nasa_artemis_3_construction