Boeing (NYSE: BA) has signed a $2.8 billion contract with NASAÂ to build the core stage of the company’s Space Launch System rocket as the company and agency near the end of the last review of the stage prior to full production.The company also builds the avionics features for the SLS’ core stage and will study the SLS Exploration Upper Stage as prime contractor, Boeing said Wednesday.
SLS is scheduled to carry out its initial flight test in 2017 and is being built to meet both crew and cargo mission needs.
During that flight, Boeing says SLS’ flight-test configuration will provide a 77-ton capacity and the final evolved two-stage configuration will provide a lift capability of more than 143 tons.
The critical design review started June 2 for NASA and Boeing personnel to evaluate the final design of the rocket’s cryogenic stages, which will work to hold liquefied hydrogen and oxygen.
