NASA's Space Launch System Moves into Testing and Integration

Honeycutt, John ; Creech, Steve

关键词: LAUNCH VEHICLES;    LOW EARTH ORBITS;    PAYLOADS;    SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM (SLS);    DEEP SPACE;    GOVERNMENT/INDUSTRY RELATIONS;    SPACE EXPLORATION;   

RP-ID  :  M18-6977,IAC-18-D2.1

学科分类：航空航天科学

美国|英语

来源: NASA Technical Reports Server

【 摘 要 】

NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) has moved from design and manufacturing into testing and integration for its first flight in fiscal year 2020. In 2017, the NASA/industry team completed manufacturing of all major structural elements for the launch vehicle for Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1). This work included shipping the first major flight hardware element to the launch site. Current work is focused on the initial Block 1 variant of SLS, capable of launching more than 70 metric tons (t) to low Earth orbit (LEO). As the needs of the nation's deep space exploration program grow, SLS performance is designed to evolve to a payload mass of 130 t to LEO and up to 45 metric tons (t) to trans-lunar injection (TLI). The advantages of this mass - as well as volume - are critical to the entire exploration architecture for deep space exploration. They translate to greater capability, greater infrastructure and operational simplicity, less overall mission risk, and opportunities to accomplish unprecedented exploration and discovery.