NASA is making significant strides toward the first moon landing by astronauts since the Apollo program over 50 years ago, with key developments in hardware for the Artemis missions.

For those interested in learning more about the Artemis 3 mission and the development of other SLS components, additional resources are available online.

A crucial component of the 212-foot-tall Space Launch System (SLS) core stage is the 130-foot-tall propellant tank, which features four RS-25 engines and solid rocket boosters.

Recently, the liquid hydrogen tank had its thermal protection system applied and is now being outfitted with final systems in preparation for its flight on Artemis 3.

All components for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which is scheduled to launch the Artemis 2 crew around the moon in 2026, are now in place in Florida.

The Artemis 3 mission will carry the Orion spacecraft and its crew to the lunar surface, marking a significant milestone in lunar exploration.

Currently, work is underway on the core stage of the next booster for Artemis 3, which is set to be the inaugural moon landing of this new program.

A striking photograph by Steven Seipel captured the reflection of the liquid hydrogen tank in a nearby body of water as it was transported to its processing facility.

The core stage components are being assembled at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, which has a storied history of building Saturn V rocket stages for Apollo and parts for the space shuttle program.