A NASA rendering.
Quote from: rayleighscatter on 07/20/2015 09:55 pmA NASA rendering.The ML shown above does not match the present design for the converted ML.
Quote from: russianhalo117 on 07/21/2015 12:05 amQuote from: rayleighscatter on 07/20/2015 09:55 pmA NASA rendering.The ML shown above does not match the present design for the converted ML.Hope NASA is not thinking of modifying the current ML or possibly even build a new ML. Doesn't make much financial sense with the current launch rate of record.
Quote from: Zed_Noir on 07/21/2015 08:34 amHope NASA is not thinking of modifying the current ML or possibly even build a new ML. Doesn't make much financial sense with the current launch rate of record.Well, if they're going to use the ML for SLS, it has to be modified from STS configuration. I'm assuming you're trying to push an anti-SLS point, here, saying the ML shouldn't be modified because you don't think the SLS should ever fly. But since it is being built and will fly, your point is moot. They have to have at least two SLS-configured mobile launchers, one for backup in case the other gets stuck on a glitched C-T, as happened early in the Apollo flow.
Hope NASA is not thinking of modifying the current ML or possibly even build a new ML. Doesn't make much financial sense with the current launch rate of record.
Quote from: the_other_Doug on 07/21/2015 04:11 pmQuote from: Zed_Noir on 07/21/2015 08:34 amHope NASA is not thinking of modifying the current ML or possibly even build a new ML. Doesn't make much financial sense with the current launch rate of record.Well, if they're going to use the ML for SLS, it has to be modified from STS configuration. I'm assuming you're trying to push an anti-SLS point, here, saying the ML shouldn't be modified because you don't think the SLS should ever fly. But since it is being built and will fly, your point is moot. They have to have at least two SLS-configured mobile launchers, one for backup in case the other gets stuck on a glitched C-T, as happened early in the Apollo flow.There is only one ML and it was built for Ares I and is being converted for SLS. The three shuttle MLP's are not being used for anything.
I'm taking it that there was an ML that was being constructed for Ares 1 that was mostly finished when the Ares program was canceled? And this is what is being modified to support SLS?
WASHINGTON — NASA is developing a pair of solar-sailing, science-collecting cubesats that will hitch a ride on the Space Launch System’s inaugural July 2018 launch.The two spacecraft, currently envisioned as six-unit cubesats with deployable solar sails, will travel beyond low Earth orbit to conduct scientific observations of an asteroid and the moon.NASA’s Near Earth Asteroid Scout, or NEA Scout, cubesat will conduct a 2020 flyby of asteroid 1991 VG to determine its size, movement and chemical composition.The aptly named Lunar Flashlight cubesat will sail into a polar orbit around the moon by early 2019 then use its solar sail as a mirror, reflecting sunlight onto the cold, dark regions of the lunar poles. Once the polar regions are illuminated, onboard sensors will help determine the composition and distribution of frozen water and other volatiles hidden in the moon’s shadows.
That will be the EM-1 launch, right? July 2018 is the current date for that?
Also, what's the current plan for the advanced boosters? I've read several different things and I'm not clear on which is right.
QuoteAlso, what's the current plan for the advanced boosters? I've read several different things and I'm not clear on which is right.Right now NASA is proceeding with SLS Block I for EM-1 (Core stage plus current boosters plus ICPS upper stage) and going immediately to Block IB (Core stage plus current boosters plus EUS upper stage). Advanced boosters will come after Block IB (so late 2020s). There are a couple of way NASA could go with this. They could go with Block II (Core stage plus advanced boosters plus another upper stage) or Block IIB (Core stage plus advanced boosters plus EUS upper stage).
Quote from: Vultur on 08/10/2015 04:00 amThat will be the EM-1 launch, right? July 2018 is the current date for that?Correct on both counts.
Probably more like early-mid 2020s. Last I heard they've only got enough SRB parts leftover from the shuttle to make about 10 boosters (so 5 SLS flights). 1 pair would be used for EM 1, and the next flight would be in 2021 or maybe 2020 if we're lucky, at about 1 launch a year, so that puts 2025 as the latest they could do a launch before switching to advanced boosters, unless they restart production (not exactly cheap). They've got the equipment to fuel and stack them, but thats it
Has NASA thought of using aerospike engines for the core stage instead?
Quote from: Raj2014 on 08/11/2015 09:29 pmHas NASA thought of using aerospike engines for the core stage instead? No, the whole point of the SLS design is to use derivatives of shuttle propulsion elements (SSME and SRB's). SLS will fly only one to two times a year. Not enough to justfiy a new engine development program. These questions are the same as those on Orion. SLS and Orion are not designed to push the state of the art or to reduce operational costs.