NASA and Boeing Making Progress on Artemis Moon Rocket Block 1B Configuration
Despite concerns from NASA Office of Inspector General over supply chain transparency, Artemis team continues to advance SLS, with major work on LOX tank weld confidence article (5 of 7 such test pieces) for SLS exploration upper stage proceeding at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans; SLS Block 1B with exploration upper stage / Orion crew capsule features 40% additional payload capacity vs Block 1 (27 / 38 t) as is slated to carry 4 astronauts to Gateway station (including 1 ESA astronaut) and 2 to lunar surface via SpaceX HLS during Artemis 4 NET September 2028