The Space Launch System (SLS) is a US super heavy-lift expendable launch vehicle under development. It is the primary launch vehicle of NASA's deep space exploration plans, including the planned crewed lunar flights of the Artemis program and a possible follow-on human mission to Mars. On Oct 22, 2015, NASA announced that a Critical Design Review (CDR) was completed revealing a reworked color scheme on the rocket. The program concluded the core stage of the rocket and launch vehicle stage adapter will remain orange. Orange is "the natural color of the insulation that will cover those elements." The burnt orange-color foam is the same that was used to insulate the space shuttle's large external fuel tank. Back in 1981, NASA painted the first two of those tanks white to protect against ultraviolet radiation, but chose to forego the coating on subsequent missions to save on the weight of the paint. The new SLS art also includes stylized orange and gray markings on the vehicle's two side-mounted boosters. The solid rocket motors are built from the same casings that flew with the shuttle, but are now one-segment longer (for a total of five) to provide the additional thrust needed to launch the more massive SLS. Source: Collectspace.com

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SLS 1:144 axm-sls144

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  Read blog post about the SLS here.

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The Artemis-1 (formerly known as Exploration Mission 1), is an uncrewed test flight for NASA's Artemis Program, that will enable human exploration to the Moon and Mars. It was successfully launched on Nov 16, 2022.

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Launch Vehicle: Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1 and first flight of ORION MPCV (Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle)

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Launch Site: KSC pad 39B. On Aug 17, 2022, the vehicle rolled out to the launch pad for the second time aboard the MLP.

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Launch date: Nov 16, 2022

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Mission: Orbital flight around the Moon

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Paper Model available in 1:144 and 1:96 scales:

-Simple 1:144 for static display with no Orion capsule. An MLP with umbilical tower is being planned for the 1:144 scale only.

-The 1:96 version consists of a detailed Core and a separable LAS showing the Orion/Cryo stage kit.

-The Orion 1:96 version (separate kit) comes with solar arrays to be displayed in two configurations: stowed and deployed solar arrays. It's an option to either glue them or use magnets to interchange them.

-There is an additional file to save ink. It consists of blank templates of the entire SLS Core and it's to be printed on colored cardstock. You'd need to find a Rust Orange color cardstock, in order to match the real color of the core.

-In order to assemble the model, please make use of the original manual from the SLS 2015 version, located at the top of this page. The main difference is the lack of an interstage skin part on the Artemis 1 model. The rest is the same.

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Download Files: Update as of 8/29/22

AXM-Artemis-196

Artemis_SRBs_196

SLS Blank Core 96

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Thanks to Garrett Cortelyou III and Matthew Cable for providing wonderful photos of the model.

This is the Orion stage kit for the Artemis-1 SLS model as a separate component.

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Scale: 1:96

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This kit replaces the original static LAS/stage section of the 1:96 model. The kit includes a separate LAS (Launch Abort System), the Orion Artemis-1 capsule with the service module, and the cryogenic stage. Also included in the kit are the solar panels in two versions, one for stowed configuration and the other for extended solar panel configuration. A 3D separate stand is available too.

It is optional to glue these panels in place or use magnets so they can be removed easily. Magnets can be put inside the service module and the other magnets will go on the solar panels. Use small magnets preferably 2x1 mm or 3x2 mm magnets sizes.

Update (8/30/22): New paper display stand designed by Alessandro Paroni

AXM ORION SM-CM STAND

Update (11/22/2022): Artemis Orion capsule details updated as per NASA photos.

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Model photos provided by Garrett Cortelyou III.

Orion and 3D stand photos by AXM