SLS Program working on accelerating EUS development timeline

[Khadgars]

Of course SLS could be canceled, but if its not Block II is required eventually that was my point.

[Coastal Ron]

Of course SLS could be canceled, but if its not Block II is required eventually that was my point.

Not sure why building new versions of the same parts is not one of your options. Costs far less, especially if you really don't require the additional capabilities of Block 2.

[RonM]

Of course SLS could be canceled, but if its not Block II is required eventually that was my point.

Not sure why building new versions of the same parts is not one of your options. Costs far less, especially if you really don't require the additional capabilities of Block 2.

The new casing design is for SLS Block II and OmegA. Restarting the old production line, assuming it still exists, would be more expensive.

[Steven Pietrobon]

The new casing design is for SLS Block II and OmegA. Restarting the old production line, assuming it still exists, would be more expensive.

How do you know? Steel is a lot cheaper than carbon fibre.

[russianhalo117]

The new casing design is for SLS Block II and OmegA. Restarting the old production line, assuming it still exists, would be more expensive.

How do you know? Steel is a lot cheaper than carbon fibre.

Not when you already have the retooled the production line with common multiple product tooling and nearly every motor product NG currently produces uses CF casings and all existing steel casing products/product version(s) are deprecated and marked technologically obsolete.

[Hog]

Of course SLS could be canceled, but if its not Block II is required eventually that was my point.

Not sure why building new versions of the same parts is not one of your options. Costs far less, especially if you really don't require the additional capabilities of Block 2.

The new casing design is for SLS Block II and OmegA. Restarting the old production line, assuming it still exists, would be more expensive.

The new cases made of wound filaments(BOLE') are for whatever version is beyond SLS-8, be it Block II(130 tonnes) or Block 1B+(114 tonnes according to Dr Steven P) to LEO.

The actual D6AC super high strength steel segments can no longer be made as they were for Shuttle.  I'm wondering if a cheaper alloy could be used as reusability is no longer a requirement?

Let's not forget that this technology for these carbon fibre SRMs is FAR from new.  4 segment Filament Wound Case(FWC) SRBs were stacked and ready for flight on the West Coast at SLC-6 awaiting the first southerly STS Polar orbit launch back in 1986.
IIRC the FWC were designed for 4 flights of reuse. They used the improved double tang joint though with only 2 O-rings.  SLS doesnt have to deal with any twang movements..

pics
1)Filament Wound Case prior to firing test in Utah.
2) closer view

[DreamyPickle]

Why don't they just scale ACES up a bit?

EUS is more or less just a DCSS/iCPS scaled up a bit. Starting with ACES or Centaur 5 might result in a higher performance stage, but probably would not be significantly faster or cheaper.

Except Centaur V is very likely to fly ahead of the EUS and ULA has already proposed versions with a stretched lengths. Cost would likely be similar to what is required to adapt the ICPS.

ACES also brings additional capabilities such as performing lunar orbit insertion.

Has anyone done the math on SLS+Centaur V performance?

[envy887]

Why don't they just scale ACES up a bit?

EUS is more or less just a DCSS/iCPS scaled up a bit. Starting with ACES or Centaur 5 might result in a higher performance stage, but probably would not be significantly faster or cheaper.

Except Centaur V is very likely to fly ahead of the EUS and ULA has already proposed versions with a stretched lengths. Cost would likely be similar to what is required to adapt the ICPS.

ACES also brings additional capabilities such as performing lunar orbit insertion.

Has anyone done the math on SLS+Centaur V performance?

And DCSS has been flying for almost 20 years.

Maybe I should have been more clear: the delay would be due to adapting the stage to SLS, not any inherent delays with Centaur V. It doesn't really matter what stage you start with, by the time you go through all the hoops required for it to work with SLS, it's going to be similar in cost and timing to the baseline EUS design. The baseline EUS design could also be upgraded to perform LOI like ACES.

Also (IMO) Boeing is highly unlikely to develop ACES for either ULA or SLS, because it would allow Vulcan to match or even  outperform Block 1B and that's a threat to a much more lucrative revenue stream.

[zubenelgenubi]

https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/1362064658639826946

As preps continue for #Artemis1, Philip Sloss deep dives with NASA SLSofficials on completion of the all-important Critical Design Review for the Exploration Upper Stage, or EUS, for the Block 1B variant of SLS, set to debut on Artemis 4 in 2026.

NASA completes Exploration Upper Stage CDR, focuses new office on SLS Block 1B development, February 17

[Ronsmytheiii]

Aderholt, late in the two-hour hearing, probed Nelson for details about proposed funding for the upgraded SLS Block 1B vehicle, which uses the Exploration Upper Stage under development. “I don’t have the budget request because the president hasn’t put it out,” Nelson responded. “But, a little birdie told me that he thinks you’ll be happy with the budget request.”

https://spacenews.com/nasa-seeking-more-than-10-billion-in-infrastructure-bill/

[VSECOTSPE]

Aderholt, late in the two-hour hearing, probed Nelson for details about proposed funding for the upgraded SLS Block 1B vehicle, which uses the Exploration Upper Stage under development. “I don’t have the budget request because the president hasn’t put it out,” Nelson responded. “But, a little birdie told me that he thinks you’ll be happy with the budget request.”

https://spacenews.com/nasa-seeking-more-than-10-billion-in-infrastructure-bill/

But still no cost baseline for EUS/Block 1B:

NASA has not established preliminary cost and schedule estimates or a baseline for the SLS Block 1B project.

https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-21-306.pdf

[Proponent]

But still no cost baseline for EUS/Block 1B:

NASA has not established preliminary cost and schedule estimates or a baseline for the SLS Block 1B project.

https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-21-306.pdf

Cool!   Another gift that will keep on giving.  It looks to me like Rep. Aderholt is earning his pay.  He might even be the new Shelby, despite Mo Brooks' likely elevation to the Senate.

[JHošek]

NASA has not established preliminary cost and schedule estimates or a baseline for the SLS Block 1B project.

https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-21-306.pdf

"SLS Block 1B project officials said that despite dynamic requirements, mission objectives and dates, the SLS program is on target to submit a SLS Block 1B agency baseline commitment as planned by September 2021. Officials stated that the baseline will be informed by the planning, programming, budget, and execution process for fiscal year 2023, internal Center reviews, and the initial SLS Block 1B Joint Confidence Level assessment. They also provided technical comments, which were incorporated as appropriate."
https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-21-306.pdf

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasa_marshall/status/1607405881259352066

Teams at @NASAStennis are preparing for a Green Run test of the new Exploration Upper Stage (EUS), which will fly on future @NASA_SLS missions. 🚀

EUS is being built at #NASAMichoud in as a more powerful second stage for future #Artemis missions.

More>>

https://www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/news/image-feature/2022/Stennis-Continues-Preparation-for-Exploration-Upper-Stage-Testing

Dec 21, 2022
Stennis Continues Preparation for Exploration Upper Stage Testing

Crews at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, lift the 75-ton interstage simulator test component into place at the B-2 Test Stand on Dec. 15. The test component, 31 feet in diameter and 33 feet tall, will be used during Green Run testing of the new Exploration Upper Stage (EUS), which will fly on future Space Launch System missions as NASA continues its mission to explore the universe for the benefit of all. The lift exercise served multiple purposes for the NASA Stennis test complex personnel. Overall, crews used the component as a “pathfinder” for the EUS unit, which helped train lift crews on best practices for moving and handling the actual flight hardware when it arrives. Although the simulator is not exactly the size of the EUS unit, lifting the component into place on the B-2 Test Stand allowed crews to simulate procedures and techniques for handling the flight hardware. The lift also allowed crews to check the test stand clearances to ensure all is configured as needed for the EUS unit. Several key test stand elements must be nearly perfectly aligned for EUS. The simulator lift and install helped crews take precise measurements to ensure those elements are properly placed. Finally, the lift allowed operators to return the simulator to proper placement on the B-2 tarmac following its removal from the test stand on Dec. 16. The simulator had been resting on temporary supports since its arrival in September. With the simulator now placed and leveled on proper tarmac pedestals, the NASA Stennis team will perform finishing work in the coming months to prepare the simulator for full installation onto the test stand. This will include finishing access platforms and precision interfaces prior to sandblasting and painting the test component. The final step prior to installation will be installing various piping and tubing, as well as wiring connections needed for Green Run testing. By the time the simulator is re-installed on the stand, its weight will have increased to 80 tons. EUS is being built at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans as a more powerful second stage to send the Orion spacecraft to deep space. EUS is expected to fly on the Artemis IV mission. Before that, it will be installed on the B-2 Test Stand at NASA Stennis to undergo a series of Green Run tests of its integrated systems to demonstrate it is ready to fly.

Photo Credit: NASA/Danny Nowlin

Last Updated: Dec 21, 2022
Editor: LaToya Dean

[edkyle99]

Interesting top attachment rig, with four support beams sticking out.  I suppose the real stage will also be supported from the top that way.

 - Ed Kyle

[russianhalo117]

Interesting top attachment rig, with four support beams sticking out.  I suppose the real stage will also be supported from the top that way.

 - Ed Kyle

Interesting top attachment rig, with four support beams sticking out.  I suppose the real stage will also be supported from the top that way.

 - Ed Kyle

It is just the EUS green run test interstage adapter designed to convert the stand from the CS attachment system to the EUS attachment system for stability and thrust take-out. It will house the interstage umbilicals to the lower part of EUS and direct the exhaust of the four RL10C-3SL engines through the four exhaust holes (not outfitted in the photos) in the bottom of the adapter down to the flame bucket. It will also provide flight like interstage purge Green run thermal conditioning and fire suppression inside. The bottom is also capable of supporting an addon diffuser for high altitude to near vacuum but is not currently planned to be used in that configuration.

The four bolt on beams are the lifting structure.

[eeergo]

The EUS production area at MAF has been inaugurated after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday:
https://spacenews.com/boeing-opens-sls-eus-production-facility/
Interestingly it sprawls in the area formerly dedicated to building... LNG storage tanks 

STA still predicted to be complete within 1H2024, so in about a year's time. The subsequent static firings at Stennis, currently penciled in at at least two, should also commence this year then. Certification complete in early 2025?

[VSECOTSPE]

There’s a clever observation in the comments section of that article regarding the accompanying picture and how many people it takes to cut a ribbon.  Made me laugh.

[Hog]

The EUS production area at MAF has been inaugurated after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday:
https://spacenews.com/boeing-opens-sls-eus-production-facility/
Interestingly it sprawls in the area formerly dedicated to building... LNG storage tanks 

STA still predicted to be complete within 1H2023, so in a few months' time. The subsequent static firings at Stennis, currently penciled in at at least two, should also commence this year then. Certification complete in early 2024?

emphasis mine

That seems to be at odds with the article.

From the article:
"After completing welding tests, Boeing will produce an EUS structural test article that will then be tested at the Marshall Space Flight Center. Steve Snell, Boeing EUS program manager, said that structural test article should be done in the first half of 2024."

xxxxxxxxxxx

I'm surprised that 2 Core Stages and 2 EUS is a goal.  I think they'd be doing well if they reached 1 of each per year.

[woods170]

The EUS production area at MAF has been inaugurated after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday:
https://spacenews.com/boeing-opens-sls-eus-production-facility/
Interestingly it sprawls in the area formerly dedicated to building... LNG storage tanks 

STA still predicted to be complete within 1H2023, so in a few months' time. The subsequent static firings at Stennis, currently penciled in at at least two, should also commence this year then. Certification complete in early 2024?

emphasis mine

That seems to be at odds with the article.

From the article:
"After completing welding tests, Boeing will produce an EUS structural test article that will then be tested at the Marshall Space Flight Center. Steve Snell, Boeing EUS program manager, said that structural test article should be done in the first half of 2024."

xxxxxxxxxxx

I'm surprised that 2 Core Stages and 2 EUS is a goal.  I think they'd be doing well if they reached 1 of each per year.

Yes, it is at odds with what is written in the article. NO WAY that Boeing can build the STA (they have yet to start construction) in just a few months time. The article clearly suggests that the STA will finish construction, ready for testing at Marshall, in the first half of 2024.