NASA unveils new giant rocket for deep space missions

September 15, 2011 | Source: Space.com
SLS Launch

SLS rocket (Credit: NASA)

NASA has revealed its new design for a next-generation heavy-lift rocket, Space Launch System (SLS), a giant booster that will eventually carry astronauts on future deep space missions. The first test flight is targeted for the end of 2017.

The SLS will be the most powerful rocket so far, surpassing the capability of NASA’s Saturn V rockets, which carried astronauts to the moon during the Apollo program.