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NASA is moving steadily toward a manned return to the Moon with the final assembly of the liquid hydrogen tank that will power Artemis 3. This critical component is part of the core of the Space Launch System (SLS), a 65-meter rocket that will carry the Orion capsule crew to the lunar surface.
Artemis 3 tank passes key tests
Located at the Michoud Assembly Facility east of New Orleans, the 40-meter tank is one of five major structural elements of the SLS. It has recently been coated with a thermal protection system and will be equipped with the definitive systems to support the scheduled lunar lander. The structure is designed to contain liquid hydrogen at extreme temperatures and withstand the aerodynamic loads of liftoff.
With the Artemis 2 hardware Artemis 2 hardware already in place in Florida for launch in 2026, attention now turns to the vehicle that will allow humans to once again set foot on lunar soil. NASA projects that Artemis 3 will mark the first manned descent in more than half a century, integrating reused RS-25 engines and solid fuel boosters on the side.
An image by photographer Steven Seipel shows the tank reflected in a body of water during its internal transfer. Beyond its aesthetic value, the photograph highlights the technical and symbolic moment of a system that connects historical programs such as the Apollo program program and the space shuttle with the new era of lunar lunar exploration.
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Source and photo: Space.com
