Eventually launching payloads destined for deep space, NASA’s new rocket continues its progress toward the very first launch in 2018. The new rocket is Space Launch System, or SLS.
On its first mission, SLS will carry Orion, NASA’s new crew capsule. The mission will send Orion tens of thousands of miles beyond the moon.
What was the SLS rocket up to last month on its path toward the first launch?
An important component of the rocket will soon be tested, called the launch vehicle stage adapter, or LVSA. It connects the rocket’s core stage to the interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) which will send Orion beyond the moon.
SLS block 1. Image credit: NASA/MSFC
During launch, the structure of the rocket will be subjected to massive amounts of stress. To ensure the LVSA will endure the stress, it will soon be tested at Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama where it will be pushed, pulled and twisted.
The rocket’s upper stage will be powered by the RL10, a proven rocket engine. It will be part of the ICPS.
RL10 engine test. Credit: Aerojet Rocketdyne
SLS will eventually evolve into more advanced configurations. In the next scheduled configuration, four RL10C-3 engines will be used.
Meanwhile, engineers at NASA and CUBRC Inc. are studying how the rocket heats up while ascending through the atmosphere by wind tunnel testing an SLS model.
Powering the rocket’s core stage will be four RS-25 engines, which will soon fire together at Stennis Space Center’s B-2 test stand.
With many different avenues of progress being made on NASA’s massive new rocket, missions to deep space will soon be commonplace. In the near future, SLS will launch humans toward deep space destinations.
Learn more about SLS at NASA.gov.