Great article Chris, loaded with information. I am curious if they will create a mock up of SLS as a design study. Although it is not needed with today’s computer aided design, it would go a long way if placed on display to the public for PR value and future funding. Gives the politicos some nice photo ops RegardsRobert
This is just a great disappointment. There are no missions of any substance in the planning: flying by and waving at the Moon is not a real mission. It is 51 years after the Apollo 8 mission proving that we cannot match that mission's abilities.
Did I read correctly that the current 5-Seg SRB design will only be used for the first 2 flights ? After that, ATK has a more "advanced" design, or we switch to LRBs. So that means we will have fired this design of the 5-Seg SRB more times on the ground than actually used as a booster. Who pays for the development of this new ATK design ?
Quote from: Mark S on 10/05/2011 12:56 pmUnless this approach is reversed, I don't see how SLS will be able to fit within the given budget. Sigh.Simple, by deferring Block II to never-never land. After all, the law only requires the rocket to be upgradable to 130 mT, not the 130 mT version actually flying, no? I thought only the 70 mT (Block I) has a law-mandated deadline?We could already do plenty with Block I SLS alone. And Block IA with a good CPS could cover virtually all our HSF needs for the next 30 years at least, since I can't see any manned Mars mission (which would require Block II) before that time-frame anyway.
Unless this approach is reversed, I don't see how SLS will be able to fit within the given budget. Sigh.
This example, provided to the RAC Team 1 at Marshall, proposes the change to a HTPB (Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene) fueled solid in “composite over wrapped steel cases” to allow higher MEOP (Maximum Expected Operating Pressure) – to as much as 1500 psi.There are also proposals to use lighter weight nozzles with expansion ratios up to 12:1.....
Quote from: Rocket Science on 10/05/2011 03:02 pmGreat article Chris, loaded with information. I am curious if they will create a mock up of SLS as a design study. Although it is not needed with today’s computer aided design, it would go a long way if placed on display to the public for PR value and future funding. Gives the politicos some nice photo ops RegardsRobertNot needed? CAD does not give ground crews chance to practice, to test operations. Only a pathfinder, a full sized mockup, allows for that.
Quote from: Mr. Justice on 10/05/2011 03:53 pmThis is just a great disappointment. There are no missions of any substance in the planning: flying by and waving at the Moon is not a real mission. It is 51 years after the Apollo 8 mission proving that we cannot match that mission's abilities. It's been noted more times than I can remember that the mission planning is in work, via Mr Shannon
That's probably how it will pan out. Lunar and NEO can be done with Block 1A/CPS but any Mars or Martian Moon missions will take Block 2 as the reference hardware and that will be developed along with mission modules in the $3+bn budget. I suppose it's all part of ensuring the use of all the CxP hardware in development, the J-2X will be developed and then parked until the upper stage can be developed in the fixed budget.
Quote from: Chris Bergin on 10/05/2011 03:59 pmQuote from: Mr. Justice on 10/05/2011 03:53 pmThis is just a great disappointment. There are no missions of any substance in the planning: flying by and waving at the Moon is not a real mission. It is 51 years after the Apollo 8 mission proving that we cannot match that mission's abilities. It's been noted more times than I can remember that the mission planning is in work, via Mr Shannon It shows where the real priorities are when the actual mission planning (and hardware, etc) is practically an afterthought compared to the launch vehicle.
Maybe the Lunar drive-by missions will get political/public interest up and additional funds may follow to speed up mission module hardware, perhaps from the ending of ISS involvement. Considering how far apart the politicians and space community were originally this may not a bad compromise for everybody in achieving the final goal of manned Martian exploration but agreed compromises never please everybody entirely just upset them the least .
We're not launching SLS any time soon, so Mr Shannon has everything he needs, the LV design, the crew capsule design, the latest budget projects and the time to - I'm sure - work his magic, as he's (Dr Evil voice) "a fricking genius"
It is an eternal wait.