Published: April 2026
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
New Orleans plays critical role in NASA’s next moon mission
NEW ORLEANS — As NASA prepares for the launch of Artemis II, the first crewed mission in the Artemis program, attention is turning to the extensive manufacturing effort behind the rocket—much of which has taken place in Louisiana.
At NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, engineers and technicians have spent years building the core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS), the powerful rocket that will carry astronauts beyond Earth’s orbit and around the Moon.
The mission is expected to send three American astronauts and one Canadian astronaut on a 10-day journey, marking the farthest distance humans have traveled in space since the Apollo era.
Core stage manufacturing at the center of the mission
The SLS core stage, which makes up approximately three-quarters of the rocket, is being produced by Boeing at the Michoud facility. The structure integrates massive liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks, avionics systems, and structural components into a single flight-ready stage.
Evan Sibley, a quality engineer working at the facility, said the process requires years of coordination across design, assembly, and inspection phases.
“When you’re early in the design, you have components spread across the facility,” Sibley said. “When everything comes together, it becomes a rocket.”
More than 1,000 Boeing employees are currently working at Michoud, supporting Artemis missions through manufacturing, inspection, and systems integration.
A legacy facility with modern capabilities
Michoud Assembly Facility, often referred to as “NASA’s Rocket Factory,” has been in operation for over six decades. It previously supported the Apollo program, where Saturn V rockets were manufactured, and has continued to serve as a key production site for major NASA launch systems.
Today, the facility combines legacy infrastructure with modern manufacturing techniques, including advanced welding, precision assembly, and digital engineering tools.
This continuity allows NASA to leverage both historical expertise and current technology in preparing for deep space missions.
Workforce development supports aerospace manufacturing
Beyond the factory floor, local education programs are helping sustain the workforce required for large-scale aerospace manufacturing.
Nunez Community College in Louisiana operates an aerospace manufacturing program designed to prepare students for careers in the industry. Since its launch in 2018, approximately 300 students have completed the program and entered manufacturing roles, including positions related to NASA projects.
Rachel Madron, a student in the program, said she hopes to work at Michoud in the future.
“That’s my dream job,” she said. “To work at NASA and help build rockets.”
Program administrators note that many graduates transition directly from training into employment at nearby facilities, creating a pipeline of skilled workers for ongoing and future missions.
Artemis II represents next step in human spaceflight
Artemis II will be the first crewed flight of NASA’s Artemis program, following the uncrewed Artemis I mission. The flight will test life-support systems, spacecraft performance, and mission operations in deep space conditions.
Unlike the Apollo missions, Artemis missions rely heavily on modern manufacturing systems, distributed engineering teams, and updated materials to meet current performance and safety standards.
The mission is also part of NASA’s broader strategy to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon and prepare for future missions to Mars.
Community engagement ahead of launch
As anticipation builds for the launch, local institutions are also organizing events to engage the public.
Nunez Community College plans to host a public watch event for the Artemis II launch, allowing students, faculty, and residents to follow the mission in real time.
For many involved in the manufacturing process, the launch represents the culmination of years of work—transforming individual components into a fully operational rocket capable of carrying humans into deep space.
A manufacturing achievement behind a space milestone
While Artemis II will be remembered as a major milestone in human spaceflight, it also reflects the scale and complexity of modern aerospace manufacturing.
From design and assembly to workforce training and quality control, the mission highlights how industrial capability remains central to space exploration.
As NASA moves forward with additional Artemis missions, facilities like Michoud—and the people working within them—will continue to play a critical role in shaping the future of human spaceflight.