NASA completes Artemis III booster stacking as Moon mission assembly advances
NASA has completed stacking the twin solid rocket boosters for Artemis III inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center. The milestone moves the next major phase of Space Launch System assembly forward.
The final forward assemblies, including their aerodynamic nose structures, were integrated on September 30, NASA said in an October 13 status update.
The boosters will ultimately support the remaining rocket hardware and Orion spacecraft during final integration.
Artemis III booster stacking is complete
According to NASA, both five-segment solid rocket boosters are now stacked in High Bay 3 at Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building.
The forward assemblies include avionics and separation hardware that will be used after launch.
The boosters provide most liftoff thrust
NASA says the two solid boosters provide more than 75% of the total SLS thrust at liftoff.
They also serve as major structural supports while the core stage and upper rocket elements are integrated.
What happens next
Work continues on the Artemis III core stage and other flight hardware before the full vehicle can be assembled and tested.
NASA is also preparing systems needed for fueling, ground operations and launch processing.
Why Artemis III matters
Artemis III is a key mission in NASA's effort to build a sustained human exploration program around the Moon.
The booster-stacking milestone does not by itself set a final launch date, but it is a visible sign that major hardware integration is advancing.
