BOEING NEEDS TO IMPROVE QUALITY CONTROL ON THE SLS MOON ROCKET

The NASA Inspector General's report finds serious quality-control issues affecting the upgraded version and expects cost overruns and delays

- Andrew Jones

A scathing report from the NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) has highlighted several critical issues related to the development of the next version of the agency's Space Launch System (SLS) megarocket, which will likely delay the Artemis Moon missions. The report, released by NASA's internal watchdog on 8 August, focuses on the gigantic SLS Block 1B and its Exploration Upper Stage (EUS). Block 1B is designed to increase the amount of cargo SLS can carry to the Moon. The upgraded version is key to NASA's long-term lunar plans and will be used for Artemis IV, currently scheduled to launch in 2028.