Imagine lifting something as heavy as 10 school buses! That's exactly what NASA did in October. They carefully hoisted a massive, 103-ton piece onto a test stand at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. This huge part is a simulator for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket's interstage component. It's a big connecting section that will help protect the rocket's upper stage and shield the Orion spacecraft.

This test stand, named after Thad Cochran, is where NASA puts SLS parts through rigorous tests. They want to make sure everything works perfectly before sending it into space. The new section was installed, and all the necessary pipes, tubes, and electrical systems were connected. This setup will help test how the rocket behaves under different conditions.

NASA is preparing for the next big Moon mission, Artemis IV. This mission will send four astronauts to the Lunar Gateway, a space station near the Moon. After that, they'll head down to the Moon's surface using SpaceX's Starship lander. The interstage simulator section will be crucial for these missions as it supports the rocket's new Exploration Upper Stage (EUS).

The EUS is a powerful part that can carry more cargo than the previous version. It will support up to 38 tons of crew and cargo, or 42 tons without a crew. This is a significant improvement from the current 27 tons capacity. Four RL10 engines will power this new stage, making it ready for the intense journey to the Moon.

The interstage simulator section is a whopping 31 feet in diameter and 33 feet tall. Its top part will absorb the thrust from the engines and transfer it back to the test stand. This way, the stand won't get damaged by the engines' powerful force. NASA's testing will ensure that the SLS rocket is ready for the exciting Artemis IV mission.

NASA's Big Lift for Artemis Missions

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