NASA is suspending development of its future deep-space rocket during coronavirus pandemic

The first completed core of the Space Launch System en route to Stennis Space Center. | Image: NASA NASA is shutting down production and testing of its future deep-space rocket and crew capsule in response to the worsening coronavirus pandemic. The two vehicles are critical pieces of NASA’s ambitious plan to return humans to the Moon by 2024, but with development temporarily suspended, meeting that deadline will become even more unlikely.
The shutdown comes amid NASA’s decision to h