NASA may ditch Boeing SLS
Reports say NASA is considering removing Boeing’s SLS from future Artemis missions, raising questions about Boeing’s long‑term role in deep‑space propulsion and heavy‑lift work. If the shift happens, program and supplier strategies for large liquid propulsion could be reshuffled (fool.com).
Bloomberg reported NASA intends to replace Boeing’s planned Exploration Upper Stage with United Launch Alliance’s Centaur V for Artemis IV, citing people familiar with the agency’s internal plan. (bloomberg.com)) Spaceflight Now published a contract confirmation for Centaur V usage and noted Artemis IV is targeted no earlier than early 2028. (spaceflightnow.com)) Multiple outlets say agency discussions now include ending SLS launches after Artemis V and having Orion launch on smaller rockets to rendezvous with SpaceX’s Starship, which would ferry crews beyond low Earth orbit. (bloomberg.com)) Reporting tied the decision to cost and schedule pressure on Boeing’s Exploration Upper Stage, with coverage citing roughly $2.8 billion in program growth flagged by inspectors and analysts. (kfgo.com)) Analysts and trade pieces place SLS per‑launch costs in the neighborhood of $3–4 billion, and outlets have warned that curtailing SLS after Artemis V could deny Boeing tens of billions in future program revenue. (fool.com)) Boeing has prepared layoffs of about 200 employees tied to the SLS program as contracts near renewal, while United Launch Alliance—a Lockheed‑Boeing joint venture—stands to gain upper‑stage work if Centaur V is adopted. (space.com)) Centaur V carries two Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10 engines per flight, and ULA’s prior engine orders and Centaur production legacy (including a 116‑engine Aerojet order) make a supplier shift technically and industrially plausible. (spacenews.com)) SLS core propulsion remains the RS‑25 lineage, with new‑production RS‑25 engines scheduled to begin flying on Artemis V, meaning any pivot to Centaur V shifts long‑lead demand away from RS‑25 suppliers such as L3Harris. (ntrs.nasa.gov))
