{"id":793365,"date":"2026-05-13T11:59:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T11:59:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/793365\/"},"modified":"2026-05-13T11:59:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T11:59:22","slug":"nasas-next-giant-artemis-iii-rocket-is-already-rising-inside-kennedy-space-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/793365\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA\u2019s Next Giant Artemis III Rocket Is Already Rising Inside Kennedy Space Center"},"content":{"rendered":"

NASA has officially started assembling the massive Space Launch System<\/strong> rocket for Artemis III<\/strong> at Kennedy Space Center<\/strong>, marking a major step toward the agency\u2019s next human spaceflight mission. According to NASA<\/strong>, technicians have already raised the core stage of the rocket inside the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building<\/strong> in Florida, where the launch vehicle will continue taking shape ahead of a planned 2027 liftoff. The mission is expected to become one of the most closely watched tests of the Artemis era because it will evaluate the readiness of the lunar landing systems designed by SpaceX<\/strong> and Blue Origin<\/strong> before astronauts attempt a return to the moon.<\/p>\n

Artemis III Rocket Begins Rising Inside Kennedy Space Center<\/p>\n

The first stage of the Artemis III<\/strong> SLS<\/strong> rocket now stands vertically inside High Bay 2 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, one of the largest structures ever used for human spaceflight operations. The enormous core stage measures 212 feet tall and will eventually support four upgraded RS-25<\/strong> engines originally derived from the Space Shuttle program. Once fully integrated with its upper stage, twin solid rocket boosters, and the Orion<\/strong> spacecraft, the complete rocket will reach a staggering height of 322 feet and weigh roughly 5.75 million pounds when fueled for launch.<\/p>\n

NASA confirmed the milestone in a public update that highlighted the latest assembly work taking place at Kennedy Space Center. \u201cTechnicians at @nasakennedy have completed operations of lifting the largest section of the core stage for NASA\u2019s Artemis III SLS rocket into High Bay 2,\u201d the post said. The next major phase will involve attaching the rocket\u2019s engine section before the vehicle is transferred into the taller High Bay 3, where final stacking operations will occur.<\/p>\n

The assembly campaign reflects how quickly NASA <\/a>has moved forward following the successful completion of Artemis II<\/strong>, which recently carried astronauts around the moon during Orion\u2019s first crewed flight. Engineers are now applying lessons learned from that mission while preparing a more demanding and politically significant test flight for Artemis III.<\/p>\n

NASA Changes Artemis III Mission Strategy<\/p>\n

The mission profile for Artemis III<\/strong> <\/a>has shifted dramatically from NASA\u2019s original plans. Early concepts called for the program\u2019s first crewed lunar landing during this mission, but ongoing development delays involving the Human Landing System vehicles forced the agency to redesign its timeline. Instead of attempting an immediate return to the lunar surface, Artemis III will now focus on testing critical rendezvous and docking procedures in Earth orbit.<\/p>\n

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There’s nothing better than seeing an SLS rocket stage vertical! \ud83c\udfd7\ufe0f<\/p>\n

Technicians at @nasakennedy<\/a> have completed operations of lifting the largest section of the core stage for NASA\u2019s Artemis III SLS rocket into High Bay 2, where it will be connected to the engine section.<\/p>\n

Learn\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/qCEtIS7lir<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NASA Marshall (@NASA_Marshall) May 10, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

NASA intends for Orion and its astronaut crew to meet with one or both lunar landers currently under development: SpaceX Starship<\/strong> and Blue Origin Blue Moon<\/strong>. The mission will allow astronauts and mission controllers to practice proximity operations and verify that the landing systems can safely support future lunar expeditions.<\/p>\n

The revised approach gives NASA more flexibility while reducing the risks associated with rushing unproven hardware into a moon landing attempt. It also transforms Artemis III into a competitive proving ground between two of the most ambitious spacecraft projects ever developed for human exploration beyond Earth orbit.<\/p>\n

SpaceX And Blue Origin Face a Critical Test<\/p>\n

The outcome of Artemis III could directly influence which company carries astronauts to the lunar surface first. At the moment, SpaceX<\/strong> remains the leading candidate for Artemis IV<\/strong>, currently targeted for 2028, because its Starship vehicle secured NASA\u2019s initial lunar landing contract. Yet Blue Origin\u2019s Blue Moon lander continues advancing through testing and qualification work, creating the possibility of a late shift in NASA\u2019s operational plans.<\/p>\n

Both companies still face substantial technical challenges before astronauts can safely travel aboard their systems. Starship must demonstrate successful orbital refueling and reliable lunar landing operations, while Blue Moon continues developing the infrastructure needed for sustained deep-space missions. Artemis III will serve as the first opportunity for NASA to directly evaluate how these spacecraft perform alongside Orion during a crewed mission environment.<\/p>\n

The pressure surrounding these demonstrations is enormous because NASA\u2019s long-term lunar strategy depends on commercial landers becoming operational. The agency hopes these systems will eventually support regular astronaut missions to the moon and contribute to a permanent presence near the lunar south pole during the early 2030s.<\/p>\n

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