Its Time For The Semiannual SLS Launch Date Slip
SLS rocket advancing, but its launch date may slip to 2020, Ars Technica
“NASA will soon set a new date for the maiden flight of its massive Space Launch System rocket, which will send the Orion spacecraft on a test flight around the Moon. Previously, this flight had been scheduled for 2018, but NASA officials acknowledged earlier this year that the launch date would slip into 2019.”
Previous SLS posts
seriously ?
the maiden flight of SLS will take the Constellation around the moon ?
seriously ??
Development of the necessary subsystems for that will, of course, take another 3-5 years and $3 billion.
So much for repeating an Apollo 8 on the 50th anniversary of Apollo 8.
Somewhat OT, continuing issue of many people and lots of internet sites such as Gaia about “secret space program” and debate the truth of Area 51, Roswell, Hanger 18, etc. What all these sites should debate is why is it so difficult to build a rocket to put people into space? Why is this country struggling to regain the ability it had 50 years ago? Yes, we (same 20 or 30 people that post here) have all debated this topic. But exit NASAwatch and space blogs, everyone still chasing after space aliens and wonder where do all these billions go (and perception NASA budget is 20% of total federal budget).
Gosh. Who would have expected it? Wow.
Let’s see, if they slip a year every 6 months, do we ever get closer to a launch?
No, until BFR/ITS is flying and Congress instructs NASA to use it.
But will SLS fly before BFR?
Yes, definitely. More than twice before BFR? That’s far from certain.
Yes, plus if you don’t fly there is no danger of an accident or any unfortunate images as was the case with the Ares 1 test flight. If there no images of it blowing up or breaking in half there is nothing to explain. Instead just plead it’s hard, and the money will keep flowing.
Of course if Elon Musk sends tourist around the Moon or get BFR flying it will be a different story, but the SLS are hoping neither happens, or as with the case of Red Dragon, they are able to monkey wrench them.
I’ve got a slightly tangential SLS question. NBC just picked up the space.com story on last week’s RS-25 test firing. The title of the story is “Watch NASA Test New Rocket Engine for Deep-Space Missions.” Last time I checked, the RS-25 isn’t a new design, and the one in question (E2063) is left over Shuttle hardware. But poking around a little, it seems the NASA press release describes the engine as “untested” and says “Engine 2063 was assembled at Stennis from the hardware inventory inherited from the Space Shuttle Program.” Does anyone know the pedigree of E2063? The press release makes it sound like it’s a new engine built from spare parts, not a previously flown and refurbished Shuttle engine.
There’s some information here: https://www.nasaspaceflight…
Even late in the Shuttle program there was a production program for new engine components, as they had to be changed occasionally, though to call them “spare parts” understates the case.
The controllers are new.
When does the Senate Launch System become so embarrassing that even the Senate gives up? I’ll guess either 2021 or 2023.