Posted: Fri, Jul 27, 2012, 9:25 AM ET (1325 GMT)
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift rocket has successfully completed a major initial review, clearing the way for more detailed design work. NASa said Wednesday the SLS completed its System Requirements Review and System Definition Review, a combined process that sets the technical, performance, cost, and schedule requirements for the launch vehicle. SLS work now goes into a preliminary design phase, with the next major milestone, a Preliminary Design Review, planned for 2013. The SLS will have an initial capacity of 70 tons to low Earth orbit, with plans to evolve it to carry up to 130 tons to LEO. The first SLS launch, carrying an uncrewed Orion spacecraft, is planned for late 2017.

Related Links:

•  Flight International article
•  Huntsville Times article
•  Central Florida News 13 article
•  NASA press release