NASA's Pegasus barge delivers Artemis III core stage to Kennedy Space Center
Updated
Updated · Florida Today · May 4
NASA's Pegasus barge delivers Artemis III core stage to Kennedy Space Center
9 articles · Updated · Florida Today · May 4
The 212-foot Boeing-built stage arrived from Michoud in Louisiana on 27 April and was moved into the Vehicle Assembly Building, where booster segments are already waiting.
NASA said the hardware will now be stacked for the Artemis III mission, targeted for launch in 2027, with Mobile Launcher 1 due to carry the completed rocket out next year.
Pegasus, originally built for shuttle external tanks and later lengthened by 50 feet, is operated by a six-person crew and carries the largest cargo in its three-decade history.
Will assembling the world's most powerful rocket in pieces at the launch site actually accelerate our return to the Moon?
Why was the Artemis III moon landing demoted to an orbital test just one year before its planned launch?
How will the Roman telescope's spy-satellite optics, launching months ahead of schedule, revolutionize our view of the universe?
Artemis III SLS Core Stage Arrives at Kennedy Space Center, Paving Way for Late 2027 Lunar Orbital Test Mission
Overview
In April 2026, NASA's Artemis III mission reached a major milestone as the Space Launch System (SLS) core stage arrived at Kennedy Space Center, transported by the specially modified Pegasus barge from Stennis Space Center. This arrival enabled teams to move the massive core stage into the Vehicle Assembly Building, where it was quickly integrated with other key components to complete the rocket's backbone. Meanwhile, delays in commercial lunar lander development led NASA to shift Artemis III to a late 2027 Earth-orbit test mission, focusing on validating critical docking operations. These coordinated efforts in engineering, logistics, and mission planning are vital steps toward returning humans to the Moon.