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The NASA Space Launch System (SLS) Program is on track for a 2018 launch, and with Orion, will provide the capability of achieving human exploration, operations and science objectives for a variety of Beyond Earth Orbit (BEO) missions, including Crewed Cis-lunar missions in the 2020s and Crewed Mars missions in the 2030s. The SLS program has a full $2.0B funding for FY 2016 and is in the production phase. The SLS program-level CDR was completed in 2015; SLS Block 1 has flight hardware in production with a late 2018 Initial Launch capability. The uprated Block 1B version is funded for the Exploration Upper Stage (EUS). The RS-25 engine production restart is on contract. The Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) SLS VAC weld / assembly tools are in operation, and the LO2 and LH2 tank weld confidence articles are completed, as is the LH2 qualification tank. The SLS program covers development, engineering sustainment, pad and launch site infrastructure.

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This page is a summary of: The Space Launch System: Development Progress, September 2016, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA),
DOI: 10.2514/6.2016-5415.
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