SLS readied for shipping

Assembly of the core stage of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) is now complete and the structure is ready for shipping from Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to Stennis Space Center (SSC), Miss., for testing. Assembly of the 212-foot rocket core stage was completed last year and had its engine section bolted on last September. With all four of its RS-25 engines attached, the team used scaffolding to check all parts of the stage inside and out, and confirmed that the electronic and propulsion systems were connected correctly. To move such a large object, NASA uses its Pegasus barge. The core stage should be shipped from New Orleans to SSC near Bay St. Louisng later this month. The testing at SSC is called the "Green Run," in which the core stage will operate as one unit for the first time. (Source: Digital Trends, 01/05/20)