The Space Launch System (SLS), NASA's deep space launch vehicle and the most powerful rocket ever built by man, is scheduled for its maiden launch in 2018.

The rocket is the agency's first heavy-lift space vehicle in over 40 years. The launch of this enormous rocket will hopefully mark man's first step towards a manned mission to Mars targeted for 2030.

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NASA officially approved this mission on August 27.

SLS has been in development for three years. NASA said it's fully committed to the success of the SLS program and to the mission to land humans on Mars.

NASA is fully committed to the scientific and human exploration in Mars and building this launch vehicle and other supporting systems that will take NASA on that journey, said NASA administrator Charles Bolden.

SLS will carry the Orion spacecraft that will be the vehicle for the Mars explorers.

The first test flight will be configured with a 70 metric ton lift capacity. SLS will carry an unmanned Orion spacecraft beyond low Earth orbit (LEO).

The final version of the rocket is set to carry 130 metric tons, a capacity that will be suitable for a manned Mars mission.

The U.S. is now embarking on an ambitious space exploration program and NASA owes it to the American taxpayers to make this mission a success, according to NASA associate administrator and review process overseer Robert Lightfoot.

He also adds that after a rigorous review, NASA is committing a funding level and readiness date that will keep the mission on track to sending humans to Mars by the year 2030.

The Orion spacecraft is scheduled for an uncrewed test flight on December 4 aboard a Delta IV heavy-lift rocket.

This test flight called the Exploration Test Flight 1 is pivotal for Orion's Mars mission since it will test Orion's key systems such as avionics, shielding and parachutes.

 The entire SLS Mars mission is projected to cost US$12 billion.

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