NASA Targets July SLS Stacking After 90% of Artemis III Pad Repairs
Updated
Updated · Ars Technica · Jun 10
NASA Targets July SLS Stacking After 90% of Artemis III Pad Repairs
2 articles · Updated · Ars Technica · Jun 10
Summary
Early July is NASA’s target to finish remaining mobile-launcher repairs, with Artemis III booster stacking expected to begin later in July.
90%-plus of the post-Artemis II repair work is already complete; crews are re-welding damaged areas in the flame hole before propellant operations begin.
Boosters have already arrived at the rotation processing surge facility for prep, while NASA says the launcher itself is in "great shape" after modifications made between Artemis I and II.
For Artemis III, NASA also plans a short-stack wet dress rehearsal—rolling out the boosters and core stage without Orion, loading propellant, and checking redesigned cryogenic seals at the tail service mast umbilicals.
The hardware update comes as Artemis III remains scheduled no earlier than summer 2027, with NASA still facing open questions about the readiness of its Blue Origin and SpaceX landers.
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Artemis III’s 2027 Orbital Test: NASA’s Risk-Reduction Pivot for a 2028 Lunar Landing
Overview
As of June 2026, Artemis III preparations are moving quickly, with key hardware nearly finished and launch infrastructure being refurbished for stacking in July. The mission, now set for 2027, has shifted its focus from a lunar landing to in-orbit testing, aiming to practice docking with commercial lunar landers. Engineers at NASA Kennedy are completing major tests on the Orion crew module, including installation and inspection of its upgraded heat shield. This strategic change is designed to reduce risks and ensure future lunar landings succeed, making Artemis III a crucial step in NASA’s lunar exploration plans.