Space Launch System Test: NASA prepares to fire engines on ‘the most powerful rocket ever built’ that can reach 17,500mph and take astronauts to Mars one day
- The $ 18 billion Space Launch System is the largest rocket engine ever built
- The SLS will fly astronauts to the Moon and Mars as part of Artemis’ mission
- The hot fire test is expected to take place sometime on or after January 17th
- If this is going to be planned the first unveiled release will take place later in 2021 and SLS will see the Orion spacecraft launch to the Moon and back
NASA’s massive Space Launch System (SLS) rocket will take astronauts to the Moon one day and Mars is set to have its final ‘hot fire’ engine test later this month.
The space agency has confirmed that the four major engines will be grounded at the time of the firing – the final test before an unmanned test flight later this year.
The rocket has already undergone several static engine tests and the next test – the hot fire test – will take place sometime from January 17th.
SLS is designed to be the backbone of the Artemis program – where the first female will be seen on the Moon in 2024 as humans land on Mars in the 2030s.
The space agency has confirmed that the four major engines will be grounded at the time of firing – the final test before an unmanned aerial test later this year.
The hot fire test on January 17 marks the end of the year-long green run – a series of tests of how ready the big SLS is before its launch
The $ 18 billion rocket was first announced in 2011 and will be able to reach speeds of 17,500mph as it will bring people and technology deeper into space.
NASA held a ‘wet uniform forecast’ for the hot fire test on Dec. 20 at the Stennis Space Center near St. Louis, Mississippi – this involved loading a full liter into a main SLS level and then drain it.
The hot fire test on January 17 marks the end of the year-round Green Run – a series of tests of how ready the big SLS is before its launch.
The hot fire test reproduces the normal launch process by loading the propellants and allowing them to flow throughout the system as the four engines fire.
‘During our Green Run wet dress test, the platform, platform controller, and Green Run software all performed seamlessly,’ said NASA’s Julie Bassier.
Space Launch System is the largest rocket ever made and will be the backbone of deeper space missions for NASA in the coming decades
The main stage – the SLS backbone – will fly astronauts to the Moon in 2024 and on to Mars in the next decade
Adding ‘that there was no leakage when the tanks were fully loaded and refilled for about two hours. ‘
The hot fire test will show that the engines, tanks, fuel lines, valves, pressure system and software are performing together as required for the start day.
The main stage of the SLS will fly on the Artemis 1 mission – the first full test mission of the giant rocket and Orion crew capsule.
As part of that space trip, the SLS will launch Orion into space where it will fly to the Moon and back without astronauts on board – scheduled to launch in late 2021.
The hot fire test will show that the engines, tanks, fuel lines, valves, pressure system and software are performing together as required for the start day. Artist’s impression of SLS
The rocket has already undergone several static engine tests and the next test – the hot fire test – will take place sometime from January 17
Artemis 2 is scheduled for August 2023 – the SLS will launch the Orion capsule to the Moon with a team of astronauts – the first crew spacecraft to orbit Earth from 1972.
This will be followed a year later by Artemis 3 which will land the first and next female on the Moon in October 2024 – again launched by the SLS.
NASA hopes to use SLS to launch parts of the Lunar Gateway space station – which will orbit the Moon in the coming years, as it will be operational by 2030.
The system will also help send equipment to the Moon for the development of a permanent center on the Moon in the coming decades.
NASA’S LUNCH SPACE SYSTEM ROCKET IS THE WORLD’S ONLY LAUNCH AND HUMAN SITES INCLUDING THE SOLAR SYSTEM
Space Launch System, or SLS, is a launch vehicle that NASA hopes will take the astronauts back to the moon and beyond.
The rocket will have an initial construction configuration, ready for launch in the mid-2020s, followed by an ‘enhanced lift capacity’ that can carry heavier payloads. Nasa has not yet set a timeline for SLS ‘second aircraft.
Original Lift Capacity Space Launch System
– Fly maiden: Mid 2020
– Height: 311 feet (98 meters)
– Lift: 70 metric tons
– Weight: 2.5 million kilograms (5.5 million lbs)
Modified Lift space launch system
– Flying maiden: Unknown
– Height: 384 feet (117 meters)
– Lift: 130 metric tons
– Weight: 2.9 million kilograms (6.5 million lbs)
NASA’s Space Launch System will feature an original construction configuration (second from right), ready for launch in mid-2020s, followed by an ‘enhanced construction capability’ (far right) that can accommodate larger payloads to carry weight.