NASA’s SLS Rocket: Booster Separation Motors

NASA’s SLS Rocket has the largest and most powerful solid propellant boosters to ever fly, standing 17 stories tall.
The boosters generate 3.6 million pounds of thrust each, with a total of 7.2 million pounds for both boosters, exceeding that of 14 four-engine jumbo commercial airliners.
Each booster has eight booster separation motors responsible for separating from the core stage during flight.
The frustum at the top of each booster houses four separation motors, while the remaining four are located at the bottom within the aft skirt.
The twin boosters provide more than 75 percent of the total thrust at launch, making them a crucial component of the SLS rocket’s performance.

This infographic, titled “Booster Separation Motors on the SLS,” provides a visual and textual overview of how and where the booster separation motors function on NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System). On the left side, explanatory text outlines the motors’ purpose and placement on the solid rocket boosters. At the center, a detailed illustration of the SLS highlights the motor locations with directional arrows. Below this, a close-up diagram offers a clearer view of the booster separation motors’ design and positioning. On the right, an illustrated scene shows the SLS ascending into space, with the solid rocket boosters detaching from the core stage. Two circular insets zoom in on the booster’s top (frustum) and bottom (AFT skirt), indicating the precise locations of the separation motors.

NASA/Kevin O’Brien

NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) solid rocket boosters are the largest, most powerful solid propellant boosters to ever fly. Standing 17 stories tall and burning approximately six tons of propellant every second, each booster generates 3.6 million pounds of a thrust for a total of 7.2 million pounds: more thrust than 14 four-engine jumbo commercial airliners. Together, the SLS twin boosters provide more than 75 percent of the total thrust at launch. Each booster houses eight booster separation motors which are responsible for separating the boosters from the core stage during flight.

At the top of each booster is the frustum—a truncated cone-shaped structure that, along with the nose cone, forms the aerodynamic fairing. This frustum houses four of the separation motors, while the remaining four are located at the bottom within the aft skirt.

Image Credit: NASA/Kevin O’Brien

For more information on the Artemis Campaign, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/artemis/

News Media Contact

Jonathan Deal
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256-544-0034
jonathan.e.deal@nasa.gov

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Q. What is the height of NASA’s SLS Rocket solid rocket boosters?

A. The SLS Rocket solid rocket boosters stand 17 stories tall.

Q. How much propellant does each booster burn every second?

A. Each booster burns approximately six tons of propellant every second.

Q. What is the total thrust generated by both boosters?

A. Together, the SLS twin boosters provide more than 75 percent of the total thrust at launch.

Q. How many four-engine jumbo commercial airliners does each booster’s thrust surpass?

A. Each booster generates 3.6 million pounds of thrust for a total of 7.2 million pounds, which is more than 14 four-engine jumbo commercial airliners.

Q. Where are the separation motors located on each booster?

A. The eight booster separation motors are responsible for separating the boosters from the core stage during flight and are located at the top (four) and bottom (four) of each booster.

Q. What is the shape of the structure at the top of each booster?

A. The frustum—a truncated cone-shaped structure—forms the aerodynamic fairing along with the nose cone.

Q. How many separation motors are housed in the frustum?

A. Four of the separation motors are housed in the frustum.

Q. What is the purpose of the aft skirt on each booster?

A. The aft skirt houses four of the remaining four booster separation motors.

Q. Who can visit the Artemis Campaign website for more information?

A. News Media Contact Jonathan Deal at https://www.nasa.gov/feature/artemis/