NASA's enormous rocket that could send humans back to the moon is '90% complete'

It’s been almost 50 years since man last set foot on the moon , and now NASA is finally gearing up to return to our lunar orbit.

The space agency has been set the ambitious target of putting humans on the moon by 2024, and now it seems that the rocket that could help them get there is almost ready.

Jim Bridenstine, NASA’s administrator, has revealed that the Space Launch System rocket is ’90% complete.’

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Mr Bridenstine praised the space agency’s ‘astonishing’ progress on the rocket this summer, and revealed that engineers now have at least ‘four-fifths of the rocket assembled.’

Jim Bridenstine, NASA’s administrator (REUTERS)

The Space Launch System will be NASA’s most powerful rocket ever built. Once completed, the rocket will allow astronauts to return to the moon, and could even be used for future missions to Mars.

Speaking about the rocket back in April, Mr Bridenstine said: “First, we are focused on speed to land the next man, and first woman, on the Moon by 2024. Second, we will establish sustainable missions by 2028.

“To do that, we need our powerful Space Launch System to put the mass of reusable systems into deep space.”

The SLS rocket (REUTERS)

NASA started developing the SLS back in 2010. The huge rocket will stand at a whopping 97-metres tall.

NASA explained: “The rocket will provide the power to help Orion reach a speed of at least 24,500 mph needed to break out of low-Earth orbit and travel to the Moon.

“That is about 7,000 mph faster than the space station travels around Earth.”