The SLS Saga: 2021 Mid-Year Project Update
SLS rocket components for Artemis-I being stacked up at Kennedy Space Center (Courtesy of NASA)
“Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work”
***2021’s midyear update on the SLS Program. For additional posts, please visit the SLS Saga microsite here.***
As the world returns to normal, the Outer Space world has experienced significant developments. Of importance, it looks like this month will mark the official launch of space tourism with both Bezos and Branson planning to launch past the 80 km Outer Space line by the time we hit August. While the near space region is becoming increasingly commercialized, the far space environment is still more of a playground for official government activities. Here, for NASA, the SLS Program still looms large. Now that it is about a year since our last update on this program, without further ado, below is the 2021 mid-year update as part of my SLS Saga series.
Core Stage’s Arrival at Launch Site
At the end of April, the final piece of the SLS rocket for the Artemis-1 mission arrived safely at the eventual launch site, the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This is the end of the line—well at least in terms of traveling on Earth—for this core stage having just completed a 900-mile journey on barge from the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, where it completed all of its Green Run tests throughout the course of last year and this year. Since then, the core stage has been unloaded and moved to the Kennedy Space Center’s vehicle assembly building for stacking operations.
Building Blocks
Speaking of stacking operations, they have been ongoing at the Kennedy Space Center, but a few hiccups were experienced along the way. While mating the SLS’s launch vehicle stage adapter to the core stage, engineers discovered that some of the elements did not have a perfect fit, necessitating a delay while the project teams worked to solve these gaps. However, as the first time through for these operations, delays in the process were largely anticipated as inevitable. But, it will still likely pushback the timeline for the inaugural launch of the rocket. The good news is that the other parts of the stacking process have been proceeding well with the core stage already attached to its solid rocket boosters. So while personnel are working to fix the mating process on top, other work, such as refurbishment and repairs, can continue on other sections of the rocket.
Testing is Potentially here to Stay
While Boeing and NASA originally contemplated that the Stennis Center detour between NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility, where the rocket is being built, and Kennedy Space Center, where the rocket will be launch, is a temporary one-time event, it might be here to stay. Senator Roger Wicker inserted a provision in this year’s NASA Authorization Bill that essentially mandates more core stage testing for SLS in the future at Stennis. Named the “main propulsion test article,” it notes, in Section 2615(d)(1), that “immediately on completion of the first full duration integrated core stage test of the Space Launch System, [NASA must] initiate development of a main propulsion test article for the integrated core stage propulsion elements of the Space Launch System, consistent with cost and schedule constraints, particularly for long-lead propulsion hardware needed for flight.” There are many issues with such a provision, including its feasibility and a timing controversy that would essentially make the validation testing happen only after a few SLS rockets have already been launched with real-world data collected. But, Senator Wicker is from Mississippi, where Stennis Center is located. So, you cannot blame him for thinking about those jobs!
Future Components Under Plan
Speaking of future launches for the SLS Program, while final preparations for the first mission are progressing at the launch site, NASA is already starting the manufacturing process for subsequent mission parts. Currently, at the Michoud Assembly Facility, the upper part of the Artemis-II core stage is being constructed. Specifically, the intertank section of this core stage is being connected with the liquid oxygen tank. Then, the forward skirt will be attached to complete this upper part of the core stage. While Artemis-II’s rocket is taking shape, at another section of the facility, Artemis-III’s components are currently being welded. In this process, panels are essentially being glued together to form larger structures that will eventually be stacked together. The assembly line for SLS rockets is churning along.
Program Under Scrutiny
Although work has already started on the first few missions of the SLS Program, it looks like the excessive delays and cost overruns are leading to another close scrutiny of the program. Recently, President Biden has ordered an internal review of the SLS rocket to “improve the current construct associated with executing the development, production and operations of the NASA’s Artemis missions.” While the review is ostentatiously trying to figure out what improvements could be had with the program, it is easy to imagine that some of the findings will be used by certain officials to push for the cancellation of the program. Originally scheduled to launch its mission in 2016, it’s best hope for a launch now is no earlier than 2022. With SpaceX becoming a more formidable player in this sector, one can’t help but wonder if Starship might one day replace the SLS rocket for deep space exploration missions.
