 2020 design of the Exploration Upper Stage | |
| Manufacturer | Boeing[1] |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Used on | Space Launch System (Block 1B/2)[2] |
| General characteristics | |
| Height | 17.3 m (57 ft)[3] |
| Diameter |
|
| Propellant mass | 129,000 kg (284,000 lb) |
| Empty mass | 14,110 kg (31,110 lb)[5] |
| Engine details | |
| Powered by | 4 × RL10C-3[3] |
| Maximum thrust | 433.1 kN (97,360 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 460.1 s (4.512 km/s)[6] |
| Burn time | 1,275 seconds |
| Propellant | LH2 / LOX |
The Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) is a rocket stage under development that will be used for future flights of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS). Used on SLS Block 1B and Block 2, it will replace the SLS Block 1's Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage. The stage will be powered by four RL10C-3 engines burning liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen to produce a total thrust of 433.1 kN (97,360 lbf). The EUS is expected to first fly on Artemis IV in 2028.[7]
- ^ "NASA, Boeing Finalize US$2.8 billion SLS Core Stage Contract". SpaceNews. 4 July 2014. Archived from the original on 27 July 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^ "Space Launch System Fact Sheet" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Space Launch System". Spaceflight Insider. 9 September 2018. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
- ^ "1 year down, a galaxy to go". Boeing. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ Donahue, Benjamin; Sigmon, Sheldon; Cooper, Darby (9 July 2018). The NASA SLS Exploration Upper Stage Development & Mission Opportunities. 2018 Joint Propulsion Conference. Cincinnati, Ohio: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi:10.2514/6.2018-4639. ISBN 978-1-62410-570-8.
- ^ "RL10 Engine". Aerojet Rocketdyne. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ Foust, Jeff (30 October 2022). "Lunar landing restored for Artemis IV mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 31 October 2022.