A newly completed vertical integration facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is poised to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of future Artemis missions. Known as the Core Stage Vertical Integration Center (CSVIC), the structure is now operational inside the Vehicle Assembly Building’s High Bay 2, allowing the Space Launch System (SLS) core stage to be oriented vertically for easier and more streamlined assembly.

The recent placement of the SLS core stage for Artemis II into the CSVIC involved rotating the stage upright and securing it into the fixture, a two-day process similar to methods once used for Space Shuttle assembly. The CSVIC weighs around 5 million pounds and is anchored by more than 1,000 cubic yards of concrete. It has its own electrical substation and over 17 miles of wiring.

Manufactured by Michigan-based Futuramic Tool and Engineering (FTE), the CSVIC was activated in December 2024. With the engine section now integrated vertically at KSC rather than at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), engineers can more easily align lines and ducts. This approach reduces complexity and the need for multiple work platforms, ultimately saving time.

The new setup doubles the functional space inside the Vehicle Assembly Building by enabling use of High Bay 2 and High Bay 3 simultaneously. This arrangement frees up MAF space for ongoing construction of Core Stages 3, 4, 5, and the Exploration Upper Stage. Skilled MAF workers have supported this transition, ensuring that component fabrication continues uninterrupted.

Originally intended for Core Stage 3, the CSVIC’s activation schedule was accelerated to support Artemis II’s Core Stage 2. This adjustment allows core stage work to proceed in High Bay 2 while boosters are stacked onto the mobile launcher in High Bay 3, shortening the overall timeline for Artemis II.

Production on vehicles for Artemis III, IV, and V is already in progress. Engine sections for Artemis III and IV are housed at the Space Station Processing Facility at KSC. The CSVIC’s establishment and the resulting vertical integration process are expected to improve operational efficiency, reduce risks, and help meet NASA’s one-year build requirements—advancing the Artemis program’s goal of sustained human presence on the Moon and future exploration beyond.