NASA is aiming to launch its new monster rocket, the Space Launch System, on its first trip to deep space as early as late August, the agency announced today. NASA says it has placeholder dates for August 29th, September 2nd, and September 5th for the rocket\u2019s debut, though there is still plenty of work left to do on the vehicle between now and then.<\/p>\n

The Space Launch System, or SLS, is a major component of NASA\u2019s Artemis program, the agency\u2019s initiative to send humans back to the Moon. Designed to carry NASA\u2019s Orion crew capsule into deep space, the rocket is slated to perform a series of missions over the next few years that should eventually culminate with astronauts landing on the lunar surface again. But first, NASA wants to see it fly without a crew on board, sending an empty Orion capsule around the Moon.<\/p>\n