Gonna cross post this in Orion too.linkExploration Systems Division Quarterly Report #3: 2013
Quote from: newpylong on 08/23/2013 01:23 pmGonna cross post this in Orion too.linkExploration Systems Division Quarterly Report #3: 2013Thanks, that is a pretty exciting report. It really underscores the massive amount of work that is going on everywhere in NASA in preparation for SLS. New machinery at MAF, lots going on at KSC, contractors producing actual flight hardware, MPCV coming together, and much more.Wow.
Quote from: Mark S on 08/23/2013 01:51 pmQuote from: newpylong on 08/23/2013 01:23 pmGonna cross post this in Orion too.linkExploration Systems Division Quarterly Report #3: 2013Thanks, that is a pretty exciting report. It really underscores the massive amount of work that is going on everywhere in NASA in preparation for SLS. New machinery at MAF, lots going on at KSC, contractors producing actual flight hardware, MPCV coming together, and much more.Wow.Agreed, thanks.For those who keep saying SLS and Orion should be cancelled still, I'm thinking that train may have left the station already for you guys. A fair amount of real work looks as though it's being done and permanent hardware being put in place to set up full scale production. It's really not much different from Direct, just 10 years late and a lot of interim money spent that didn't need to be. ;-)
The cost of maintaining a multi-billion-dollar redundant infrastructure while not having enough money for payloads will not go away just by wishing or by inertia, as much as we all would like it to.
There's still no need for NASA to have their own launch vehicle.
EDIT: But both your post and mine are off-topic as this is an UPDATE thread, not a discussion (cheerleading or criticism) thread.
Thanks newpylong. One thing I learned from that are that the RS-25 engines are at 109% for SLS Block 1.
You're welcome. These are always good reads.When they moved the engines from Kennedy to Stennis early last year they mentioned it briefly that they would be up-rated to over 500,000 lb thrust and along with the new J-2X based controller were the big reasons they needed re-qualification. I don't think many noticed it though.
... RS-25, given that engine is much more powerful, with the ability to produce approximately 530,000 pounds of thrust.
I am quoting Chris Bergins article:Quote... RS-25, given that engine is much more powerful, with the ability to produce approximately 530,000 pounds of thrust.Article Link: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/09/stennis-throttle-up-sls-engine-testing/
It is my understanding that the J-2X derived controller would be adapted for new build RS-25E's only and not retrofitted onto fully functional RS-25D's. That does not seem a very economic concept.