NASA successfully launched its Space Launch System rocket on April 1, 2026, marking a major milestone in its Artemis program. The rocket, featuring a core stage developed by Boeing, lifted off from Kennedy Space Center at 6:35 p.m. ET, carrying the Orion spacecraft, Integrity, on a mission around the Moon.
Approximately eight and a half minutes after liftoff, the Boeing-built core stage completed its primary mission and separated from the upper stage, enabling the Orion spacecraft to continue its journey. The Artemis II mission includes astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a 10-day lunar flight.
Boeing executives highlighted the significance of the mission in advancing human space exploration. Steve Parker, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, stated that the company is proud to support NASA in restoring critical spaceflight capabilities and advancing long-term lunar exploration goals.
During the launch, the core stage successfully executed multiple key operations, including propellant loading, hydraulic system activation, engine ignition, thrust vector control, fuel depletion, and stage separation. These steps demonstrated the reliability and performance of the vehicle under extreme conditions.
John Shannon, vice president of Boeing’s Exploration Systems business, emphasized the company’s focus on safety and engineering precision. He noted that the rocket performed as designed while enduring intense aerodynamic and structural forces during ascent.
Standing 212 feet tall, the core stage includes a 196,000-gallon liquid oxygen tank and a 537,000-gallon liquid hydrogen tank, along with structural components that connect the stage to the upper rocket and house its propulsion system. Four RS-25 engines generate approximately 2.2 million pounds of thrust at launch. The stage is manufactured at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, with contributions from suppliers across more than 38 U.S. states.
Boeing is currently preparing additional core stages for upcoming Artemis III, IV, and V missions, which are already in production. These missions are expected to support NASA’s long-term objective of establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon and enabling future deep space exploration.
As a global aerospace leader, Boeing continues to contribute to advancements in commercial aviation, defense, and space systems, supporting customers in more than 150 countries while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality, and innovation. Boeing, one of the world’s largest aerospace companies, develops and manufactures commercial aircraft, defence products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Through its training and services division, the company provides pilot training, maintenance support and digital solutions to help airlines operate safely and efficiently.
