The Space Launch System is the most capable rocket that will take humans and science payloads to destinations like an asteroid and ultimately Mars.
The U.S. Space Launch System, or SLS, will provide an entirely new capability for human exploration beyond Earth orbit. It also will back up commercial and international partner transportation services to the International Space Station.
Designed to be flexible for crew or cargo missions, the SLS will be safe, affordable, and sustainable, to continue America's journey of discovery from the unique vantage point of space. The SLS will take astronauts farther into space than ever before, while engaging the U.S. aerospace workforce here at home.
The first mission will launch the Orion spacecraft in 2017 on a demonstration flight around the moon to test the spacecraft without a crew. The second flight in 2021 is a similar mission around the moon with Orion astronauts onboard.
