NASA Confirms SLS but delays until November 2018

Post date: Aug 28, 2014 3:52:22 PM

Update :  First test flight was on the 16 November 2022

NASA officially approved the Space Launch System (SLS) on August 27 and is 'firmly committed' to launching the new Space Launch System rocket by November 2018

The first of the three SLS rockets is projected to cost $7.021 billion, and the entire project around $12 billion.

As to the delay from 2017, NASA says it will not rush since it "owes it to the American taxpayers to get it right".

"We will keep the teams working toward a more ambitious readiness date, but will be ready no later than November 2018" said NASA's William Gerstenmaier

Administrator and review process overseer Robert Lightfoot. "After rigorous review, we're committing today to a funding level and readiness date that will keep us on track to sending humans to Mars in the 2030s -- and we're going to stand behind that commitment."