While the rockets core phase style will stay the exact same for each of the Artemis missions, the rockets upper stage is chosen to satisfy different mission requirements and goals. Credit: NASA/Kevin OBrienThe in-space stage used to send the first 3 Artemis objectives to the Moon, called the interim cryogenic propulsion phase (ICPS), utilizes a single engine and will be replaced by a bigger, more effective four-engine phase called the expedition upper phase (EUS). With 4 times the engines and practically 4 times the propellant and thrust of ICPS, the EUS also allows two day-to-day launch chances compared to Block 1s more limited lunar launch availability.Among other abilities, both astronauts and ground teams will be able to communicate with the in-space phase and securely manage it while using Orions docking system to extract components predestined for Gateway from the phase adapter.NASA is working to land the very first female, very first individual of color, and its very first worldwide partner astronaut on the Moon under Artemis.
While the rockets core phase design will stay the very same for each of the Artemis objectives, the rockets upper phase is chosen to meet different mission requirements and objectives. Credit: NASA/Kevin OBrienThe in-space phase utilized to send out the first three Artemis missions to the Moon, called the interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS), utilizes a single engine and will be replaced by a larger, more effective four-engine phase called the exploration upper stage (EUS). Production flight and test hardware for the future upper phase is a collaborative effort in between NASA and Boeing, the lead specialist for EUS and the SLS core stage. The four RL10 engines that will be utilized during the expedition upper stage green run test series at Stennis are total, and work on the Artemis IV core stage is in progress at nearby Michoud.More OpportunitiesThe developed style likewise provides astronaut explorers more launch opportunities on a course to obstruct the Moon. With four times the engines and practically four times the propellant and thrust of ICPS, the EUS also allows two day-to-day launch chances compared to Block 1s more limited lunar launch availability.Among other abilities, both astronauts and ground groups will be able to interact with the in-space phase and securely control it while utilizing Orions docking system to extract elements predestined for Gateway from the stage adapter.NASA is working to land the first female, very first individual of color, and its first global partner astronaut on the Moon under Artemis.
