NASA Completes Testing Of Space Launch System Core Stage; Missions To Moon And Beyond Beckon (From Forbes)

On March 18 NASA successfully completed the final of eight tests assessing the performance of the core stage for the space agency’s super-heavy lifter. Called the Space Launch System (SLS), it will return humans to the Moon and then evolve to a rocket that can support exploration of Mars. The core stage, built by Boeing using Aerojet Rocketdyne engines, will be a critical component of all variants. It isn’t often that an administration presides over an effort that might be remembered a thousand years hence, but successful development of SLS could be such a program. If human beings are going to walk on the Red Planet anytime soon, the Space Launch System powered by its core stage is likely to get them there. I have written a commentary for Forbes here.