NASA spent billions on its SLS mega-rocket to take humans to the moon. It finally admitted it is 'unaffordable.'

Fri, 09/08/2023 - 08:25

nasa sls orange and white rocket standing on launchpad against blue sky with grey clouds — The SLS rocket stands at Launch Pad 39B, on November 11, 2022, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
NASA/Joel Kowsky

NASA officials have said their SLS mega-rocket program is "unaffordable."
The program has long been criticized for a lack of transparency over its growing budget.
Officials agree the SLS budget "needs to be improved," but it's not clear how, per a government report.

Senior NASA officials have admitted their Space Launch System (SLS), which aims to help humans build a base on the moon, is "unaffordable," according to a US government watchdog.

When built, SLS will be the most powerful rocket ever created by the space agency. But costs are spiraling out of control.