Seeing that Project Constellation was looking at 6 RS-68 engines for the core, which would have been less expensive and more powerful than RS-25, how did SLS get to looking at 4-6 RS-25 engines?Was it merely ablative(RS-68) vs. regenerative nozzle(RS-25) cooling?Thank you In Advance.
Could (ignoring the politics) the SRB's be replaced with 4 falcon 9 boosters?I was doing the math and 4 falcon 9 boosters would have just as much force as 2 SLS SRB's but I don't know if they would be reusable considering the speed they will be going at sep.Plus the power to weight ratio compared to SRB's.
Would require modifications to :1) the core stage to accept thrust from 4 attach points to the thrust beam, and to avionics to control the boosters.2) the booster structure to support the core on the ground and to lift from the top (FH boosters lift from the bottom)3) the VAB bay and MLP for the new engine locations, new holddowns, and to supply RP-1.
sort of relevant...yikes if true..https://twitter.com/NASAWatch/status/967175843356270592QuoteSLS Software Problems Continue"....The SLS software team at MSFC is having great difficulty in hiring people to replace those who have quit. There is a lot of internal concern as a result of issues already raised with regard to SLS software safety to date that MSFC will literally have to go back to square one on software so as to verify it for use on human missions."jb
SLS Software Problems Continue"....The SLS software team at MSFC is having great difficulty in hiring people to replace those who have quit. There is a lot of internal concern as a result of issues already raised with regard to SLS software safety to date that MSFC will literally have to go back to square one on software so as to verify it for use on human missions."
I have some questions relating to version of SLS and the MLs they will launch from.EM-1 is launching Orion atop SLS Block-1 from ML-1, ML-1 will then be modified for SLS Block-1B Cargo usage.ML-2 will be built for SLS Block-1B Crew from the get-go.So after EM-1 and modifications, ML-1 will be used for Block-1B Cargo and ML-2 for Block-1B Crew. I have read that ML-2 would be then further modified for SLS Block-2 missions, if that ever happens. 1) Does that mean that once SLS has entered the Block-2 configuration, that only ML-2 is to be used for both SLS Block-2 Crew and for SLS Block-2 Cargo configurations?2) Is there ever a scenario where SLS Block-1B would fly using 5 segment SRBs while SLS Block-2 using Advanced Boosters from different MLs, or does the switch to SLS-Block-2 for either Cargo or Crew for the other to go to Block-2 as well? (Like switch to Advanced Boosters for whichever system you want to go to Block-2 first, and runout the remaining 5 segment steel-cases SRBs on the system remaining Block-1B)3) Perhaps I am getting ahead of myself here, but I'm assuming Block-2 Crew and Block-2 Cargo would require different ML's. Can SLS Block-2 Cargo and Block-2 Crew be launched from the same ML?Article by Chris Gebhardt, dealing with ML's and Europa Clipper scheduling.https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/11/europa-clippers-launch-dependent-sls-ml-readiness/I remember the talk of a "Competition" for the Advanced Boosters but I read at least 2 papers in which NASA stresses that it want to to protect its "US$300 million investment in Utah".1st pic older graphic showing both Block 2 Crew and Cargo2nd pic newer graphic showing only Block 2 Cargo
Prior to EM-1, will we see some sort of a Test Article be stacked in the VAB atop ML-1 then be moved to LC-39B?If not, what is planned?
Quote from: Hog on 06/26/2018 05:13 pm Prior to EM-1, will we see some sort of a Test Article be stacked in the VAB atop ML-1 then be moved to LC-39B?If not, what is planned?I believe the Core Stage Pathfinder will be stacked on the ML, but nothing else with it.I don't know if it will go out to 39B, and take what I said here with a grain of salt, I think this may be old info and could be incorrect.
Quote from: envy887 on 06/27/2018 06:46 pmQuote from: IanThePineapple on 06/26/2018 06:18 pmQuote from: Hog on 06/26/2018 05:13 pm Prior to EM-1, will we see some sort of a Test Article be stacked in the VAB atop ML-1 then be moved to LC-39B?If not, what is planned?I believe the Core Stage Pathfinder will be stacked on the ML, but nothing else with it.I don't know if it will go out to 39B, and take what I said here with a grain of salt, I think this may be old info and could be incorrect.Doesn't the core stage require the SRBs to be stacked first in order to remain upright? Or will it be placed on custom GSE?Correct. SLS is supported via the SRB on the ML vehicle support posts. The core stage pathfinder demo in the VAB will not involve stacking it on the ML or going out to the pad. The focus is on handling, transportation, & lifting operations and associated ground support equipment. e.g. barge offload at the wharf, lift/breakover in the VAB transfer aisle, lift over the HB-3 transom, etc...
Quote from: IanThePineapple on 06/26/2018 06:18 pmQuote from: Hog on 06/26/2018 05:13 pm Prior to EM-1, will we see some sort of a Test Article be stacked in the VAB atop ML-1 then be moved to LC-39B?If not, what is planned?I believe the Core Stage Pathfinder will be stacked on the ML, but nothing else with it.I don't know if it will go out to 39B, and take what I said here with a grain of salt, I think this may be old info and could be incorrect.Doesn't the core stage require the SRBs to be stacked first in order to remain upright? Or will it be placed on custom GSE?
Quote from: erikdurn on 06/27/2018 09:18 pmQuote from: envy887 on 06/27/2018 06:46 pmQuote from: IanThePineapple on 06/26/2018 06:18 pmQuote from: Hog on 06/26/2018 05:13 pm Prior to EM-1, will we see some sort of a Test Article be stacked in the VAB atop ML-1 then be moved to LC-39B?If not, what is planned?I believe the Core Stage Pathfinder will be stacked on the ML, but nothing else with it.I don't know if it will go out to 39B, and take what I said here with a grain of salt, I think this may be old info and could be incorrect.Doesn't the core stage require the SRBs to be stacked first in order to remain upright? Or will it be placed on custom GSE?Correct. SLS is supported via the SRB on the ML vehicle support posts. The core stage pathfinder demo in the VAB will not involve stacking it on the ML or going out to the pad. The focus is on handling, transportation, & lifting operations and associated ground support equipment. e.g. barge offload at the wharf, lift/breakover in the VAB transfer aisle, lift over the HB-3 transom, etc...It will pretty much do what the orbiter mock-up Pathfinder did when it was at KSC, check out the facilities but not go to the pad.
Quote from: DaveS on 06/27/2018 10:04 pmQuote from: erikdurn on 06/27/2018 09:18 pmQuote from: envy887 on 06/27/2018 06:46 pmQuote from: IanThePineapple on 06/26/2018 06:18 pmQuote from: Hog on 06/26/2018 05:13 pm Prior to EM-1, will we see some sort of a Test Article be stacked in the VAB atop ML-1 then be moved to LC-39B?If not, what is planned?I believe the Core Stage Pathfinder will be stacked on the ML, but nothing else with it.I don't know if it will go out to 39B, and take what I said here with a grain of salt, I think this may be old info and could be incorrect.Doesn't the core stage require the SRBs to be stacked first in order to remain upright? Or will it be placed on custom GSE?Correct. SLS is supported via the SRB on the ML vehicle support posts. The core stage pathfinder demo in the VAB will not involve stacking it on the ML or going out to the pad. The focus is on handling, transportation, & lifting operations and associated ground support equipment. e.g. barge offload at the wharf, lift/breakover in the VAB transfer aisle, lift over the HB-3 transom, etc...It will pretty much do what the orbiter mock-up Pathfinder did when it was at KSC, check out the facilities but not go to the pad.I have to remember that there will be no FSS at the pad and that the Launch Umbilical Tower(LUT) or whatever the proper term is for that steel gantry atop ML-1 for SLS, will all be fitted within the VAB.Thanks everyone.