NASA Space Launch System (SLS)

[Orionblamblam]

I just stumbled across this three-month old video about the FSB-2 SRB test:

I always find watching these tests interesting (I'd love to be physically present for one of these tests in Utah).

Having been to a number of them... it's a hell of a show.

 

[Hobbes]

I was hoping for an NTR with the probe being NEP to give it legs.

For the Interstellar Probe that's unlikely. The proposal was written to only use already-existing tech.

 

[Forest Green]

Phase Four's spacecraft engine first to demo AFRL's game-changing 'green' fuel - Breaking Defense

Former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine told Breaking Defense that Phase Four has the potential to "disrupt the in-space propulsion market," and its technology "is important for the country."

breakingdefense.com

 

[NMaude]

Well Artemis 1 has now been mounted on LC39A:

 

[Forest Green]

 

[FighterJock]

View attachment 686730

To true Forest Green.

 

[publiusr]

Perhaps expendability is the price HLLVs must pay as totem beasts to appease the Great Galactic Ghoul. Falcon and smaller it will allow—but it misses the three-stage Saturn V and all the call-out chanting lulling it to sleep…

 

[Michel Van]

current state on situation

Another Hurricane is moving toward Florida
This time NASA decides to let SLS stay on launch pad 39B and delay launch to 16 November...

 

[FighterJock]

current state on situation

Another Hurricane is moving toward Florida
This time NASA decides to let SLS stay on launch pad 39B and delay launch to 16 November...

Oh help not again, though let’s wait and see what part of Florida the Hurricane is due to hit before NASA has to take action and pulls the SLS back to safety.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Disney World Closing Some Attractions, Orlando Airport To Cease Operations Ahead Of Tropical Storm Nicole

UPDATED with latest: About 24 hours ahead of the worst impacts of Tropical Storm Nicole on the Orlando area, Walt Disney World began closing some outdoor resort attractions, including all water par…

deadline.com

 

[Forest Green]

Someone really doesn't want this damn thing to take off do they.

 

[Grey Havoc]

T'would seem so.

 

[sferrin]

Does make one wonder how much wind it would take to see SLS laid out on the ground.

 

[FighterJock]

Does make one wonder how much wind it would take to see SLS laid out on the ground.

Does make you think that for safety’s sake NASA should pull the SLS back into the VAB and away from the strong winds from the hurricane, then concentrate on the next available launch window.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Do they have the political room to do so, though?

 

[sferrin]

Does make one wonder how much wind it would take to see SLS laid out on the ground.

Does make you think that for safety’s sake NASA should pull the SLS back into the VAB and away from the strong winds from the hurricane, then concentrate on the next available launch window.

I think they don't want to have to restack the SRBs but I don't know how many trips they can do before they have to do that. (And the time as well.)

 

[Forest Green]

What they need is a moving shelter.

 

[sferrin]

 

[Forest Green]

Oh, I guess they have one.

 

[sferrin]

Oh, I guess they have one.

Had. On the other coast. (And that was way too short for SLS anyway. )

 

[NMaude]

What they need is a moving shelter.

They need something like the Apollo programme's Mobile Service Structure (MSS):

 

[The K2]

What they need is a moving shelter.

They need something like the Apollo programme's Mobile Service Structure (MSS):

It seems some lessons are never learned.

 

[Hobbes]

Does make one wonder how much wind it would take to see SLS laid out on the ground.

Does make you think that for safety’s sake NASA should pull the SLS back into the VAB and away from the strong winds from the hurricane, then concentrate on the next available launch window.

The problem is that the rollout puts stresses on the rocket. They've designed the rocket for 5 rollouts, and they're at 4 now. The SRBs can't be left stacked indefinitely either.

 

[FighterJock]

Does make one wonder how much wind it would take to see SLS laid out on the ground.

Does make you think that for safety’s sake NASA should pull the SLS back into the VAB and away from the strong winds from the hurricane, then concentrate on the next available launch window.

The problem is that the rollout puts stresses on the rocket. They've designed the rocket for 5 rollouts, and they're at 4 now. The SRBs can't be left stacked indefinitely either.

So that will be one more roll out (then what), will NASA have to disassemble the rocket and the SRBs?

 

[Hobbes]

not sure, this is based on comments over at nasaspaceflight.com which I can't find now.

 

[Archibald]

There are many different SLS / Artemis threads out there, with lot of people posting (some of them... oh well, better not to talk about them).

 

[FighterJock]

not sure, this is based on comments over at nasaspaceflight.com which I can't find now.

Try a search on Google, nasaspaceflight.com is still active.

 

[Grey Havoc]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjDGEsalURI

 

[Grey Havoc]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgZ1SvAd7OY

 

[Sherman Tank]

I, uh, think it worked.

 

[NMaude]

I, uh, think it worked.

It's in orbit.

 

[The K2]

I, uh, think it worked.

It's in orbit.

Yeah, it’s a start. Never thought too much about the SLS in its current form. I think of it as a Frankenstein monster of rockets. Not too keen about throwing away those shuttle engines. All that effort in design and testing just to be garbage. They should go to a museum for proper retirement.

 

[Forest Green]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfyEw7nk8o0

 

[_Del_]

I, uh, think it worked.

It's in orbit.

Yeah, it’s a start. Never thought too much about the SLS in its current form. I think of it as a Frankenstein monster of rockets. Not too keen about throwing away those shuttle engines. All that effort in design and testing just to be garbage. They should go to a museum for proper retirement.

When you see what they paid for the new-built "cheap" disposable ones, you'll probably change your mind.

 

[The K2]

I, uh, think it worked.

It's in orbit.

Yeah, it’s a start. Never thought too much about the SLS in its current form. I think of it as a Frankenstein monster of rockets. Not too keen about throwing away those shuttle engines. All that effort in design and testing just to be garbage. They should go to a museum for proper retirement.

When you see what they paid for the new-built "cheap" disposable ones, you'll probably change your mind.

According to NASA, the new production ones are supposed to be 30% cheaper. They at least could have one or two of the original SSMEs donated to a museum.

Space Launch System RS-25 Core Stage Engines

NASA.gov brings you the latest images, videos and news from America's space agency. Get the latest updates on NASA missions, watch NASA TV live, and learn about our quest to reveal the unknown and benefit all humankind.

www.nasa.gov

 

[_Del_]

According to NASA, the new production ones are supposed to be 30% cheaper. They at least could have one or two of the original SSMEs donated to a museum.

Space Launch System RS-25 Core Stage Engines

NASA.gov brings you the latest images, videos and news from America's space agency. Get the latest updates on NASA missions, watch NASA TV live, and learn about our quest to reveal the unknown and benefit all humankind.

www.nasa.gov

The money spent for refurbishment of the six old engines, and the 18 new build engines under contract came out to $140+ million per engine... Presumably, the lion's share is dominated by the new-builds.

Even at a future 30% savings based on that conservative figure including the refurbished engines, you're looking at more per disposable engine than it costs to buy a Falcon Heavy launch.... One SLS launch, four engines, and you've got seven Falcon Heavy launches. That's just the engines. Not including all the other costs, tanks, srbs, etc.


Assuming they want to keep throwing money away like this, refurbing, using and then dumping the old stock in the ocean looks like huge savings on the bottom line.

 

[The K2]

That’s it. NASA doesn’t know what they are doing.

 

[Grey Havoc]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghL6C24CTmg

 

[publiusr]

Cassini’s cost was up there, for a much smaller payload. Collides, rockets and carriers are rather similar.

 

[NMaude]

Collides, rockets and carriers are rather similar.

Collides?