NASA has moved a 40-meter liquid hydrogen tank for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket into a vertical position. The component is intended for the Artemis IV mission and is currently located at the Michoud Assembly Facility.
The tank was transported horizontally using heavy lifting equipment. At the assembly site, engineers will prepare the structure for the installation of an interface ring and apply a primer coating.
The tank will store thousands of gallons of cryogenic fuel to supply four RS-25 engines. These engines generate a combined thrust of over 2 million pounds during launch.
The Michoud facility has a history of manufacturing large-scale rocket tanks dating back to the Saturn V program. These production capabilities are now utilized for the Artemis lunar exploration initiative.
