Congress and Trump may compromise on the SLS rocket by axing its costly upper stage

The article discusses the potential compromise between Congress and President Trump regarding the costly upper stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The SLS, which is intended to be the backbone of NASA's Artemis program to return humans to the Moon, has faced criticism for its exorbitant launch costs, with each flight estimated to cost around $4 billion. The article suggests that Congress and the Trump administration may consider axing the SLS's expensive upper stage in an effort to reduce the overall cost of the program. This move would potentially allow for more frequent lunar missions and a more sustainable exploration program. The article highlights the importance of finding a balance between cost-effectiveness and the SLS's capabilities, as the success of the Artemis program hinges on the availability of a reliable and affordable launch system. The proposed compromise represents an attempt to address the financial concerns surrounding the SLS while still maintaining the program's core objectives.