Last updated on September 1, 2021

Before NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket launches NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon, its massive core stage must pass Green Run testing at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

The video below explains how the core stage is brought to life to complete the test.

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The SLS rocket’s core stage is the world’s largest rocket stage, stretching 212 feet from end to end with two huge propellant tanks, four RS-25 engines, and miles of cabling and avionics systems.

The SLS core stage Green Run test series is designed to verify the core stage is ready for the first and future Artemis missions. Each of the eight tests brings the stage to life for the first time, cumulating in an exciting “hot fire” as all four RS-25 engines fire simultaneously and all those systems operate together for the first time.

Testing the SLS rocket’s core stage is a combined effort for NASA and its industry partners, Boeing, the core stage lead contractor, and Aerojet Rocketdyne, the RS-25 engines lead contractor.