NASA Michoud: SLS Core Stage Vertical Assembly Center

The Vertical Assembly Center at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a critical piece of infrastructure for space exploration. This 170-foot-tall blue structure is engineered to precisely align and weld large sections of the Space Launch System (SLS) core stage. The SLS core stage serves as the primary rocket for NASA's Artemis missions, which aim to return humans to the Moon and prepare for future deep space travel. The facility plays a central role in the production of these powerful launch vehicles, supporting the nation's ongoing space endeavors. Related photographs from the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, where NASA’s Space Launch System core stages are assembled for Artemis missions.