Congress is pushing back against the Trump administration's proposal to cancel the Space Launch System (SLS) program following future launches. The SLS will support key missions like Artemis II and III, intending to send astronauts around the Moon and eventually to its south pole. While the White House aims to terminate the program post-Artemis III, congressional spending bills support maintaining SLS, Orion, and Gateway. However, there is interest in seeking cheaper options for a new SLS upper stage, with Boeing tasked to develop it for Artemis IV.
The next SLS flight, called Artemis II, is scheduled to lift off early next year to send a crew of four astronauts around the far side of the Moon.
House and Senate appropriations bills would preserve SLS, Orion, and the Gateway, indicating a strong congressional support against the termination of the SLS program.
NASA has tasked Boeing to develop an Exploration Upper Stage for debut on the Artemis IV mission, featuring larger tanks and four engines.
The official policy of the Trump administration is to terminate the SLS program along with the Orion crew capsule after the Artemis III mission.
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