NASA's Moon Rocket: A Test That Went Boom

NASA's big Moon rocket, the SLS, might not have a long future. The current U. S. administration wants to stop using it after just three trips, while some lawmakers want to extend it to five. But realistically, it's unlikely to fly more than that, and if it does, it won't happen before 2040. The SLS is a key part of NASA's plan to send astronauts back to the Moon. But the White House thinks cheaper private rockets could do the job instead. This week, NASA tested new parts for the SLS. First, they tested a new engine in Mississippi. This engine is special because it's the first of its kind made since the Space Shuttle days. It's meant for the fifth SLS flight, called Artemis V. Then, in Utah, NASA and Northrop Grumman tested a new booster for the SLS. This booster is designed for the ninth mission, Artemis IX. But unlike the engine test, this one didn't go so well. Just under two minutes into the test, the booster's nozzle exploded into many pieces. You can see the explosion in a video online. The booster that blew up isn't meant for actual space flights. It's just for testing and collecting data. But the explosion shows that there are still challenges to overcome before the SLS can be used for more missions.