NASA to Switch to ULA for SLS Upper Stage | Aviation Week Network

Irene Klotz March 09, 2026

NASA plans to buy ULA’s Centaur V, the upper stage for its Vulcan rocket, for the Space Launch System.

Credit: United Launch Alliance

CAPE CANAVERAL—NASA is shifting course in its plans for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, opting to procure the Centaur V upper stage from United Launch Alliance (ULA) instead of continuing development of the Boeing-built Exploration Upper Stage (EUS). The change, formally announced in a procurement document released March 6, represents a significant adjustment to the Artemis program’s long-term architecture.

Irene Klotz

Irene Klotz is Senior Space Editor for Aviation Week, based in Cape Canaveral. Before joining Aviation Week in 2017, Irene spent 25 years as a wire service reporter covering human and robotic spaceflight, commercial space, astronomy, science and technology for Reuters and United Press International.

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