NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) program and Stages prime contractor Boeing are collaborating on optimizing the production areas at the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in New Orleans. The final assembly of the second Core Stage is underway as work expands to cover the production of multiple Core Stages and Exploration Upper Stages (EUS) for the SLS Block 1B vehicle.
SLS and Boeing started a long-term factory optimization plan at the end of 2019; among the changes is a reorganization of the layout of production areas to increase work efficiency. The initial goal for SLS is to reach a delivery rate of one Core Stage and one EUS every year, which will require simultaneous assembly and outfitting of three builds of each unit.