Posted: Sat, Jan 2, 2021, 12:33 PM ET (1733 GMT)
An upgraded upper stage for the Space Launch System has passed a key review. Boeing said last week that the Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) completed its critical design review with NASA, allowing the company to start producing hardware. The EUS will be used on the Block 1B version of SLS, increasing its payload performance. The first SLS Block 1B launch is not likely before the mid-2020s. The omnibus spending bill passed this week directs NASA to spend at least $400 million on EUS development in 2021, even though the agency's budget proposal sought to defer final design work so that NASA could focus on completing the Block 1 version of SLS.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  NASASpaceFlight.com article
•  NASA release