First SLS launch could slip to 2018
Posted: Thu, Aug 28, 2014, 11:01 AM ET (1501 GMT)
NASA announced Wednesday that its Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket has passed a key review, but also said the rocket may not be ready for its first launch until November 2018, nearly a year later than previously planned. The SLS completed what NASA calls its Key Decision Point C (KDP-C) review, clearing the program to proceed into further development. The KDP-C set an estimated cost of that development at just over $7 billion, but also said the rocket would be ready for its first flight no later than November 2018. NASA had previously indicated SLS would launch on its first mission, EM-1, in December 2017. NASA officials said they are still working towards that earlier date, and the November 2018 date comes from models with a confidence level of 70 percent. Separate KDP-C reviews of SLS ground systems, and of the Orion spacecraft, are planned before NASA officials believe they will have a better estimate of the EM-1 launch date.
NASA announced Wednesday that its Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket has passed a key review, but also said the rocket may not be ready for its first launch until November 2018, nearly a year later than previously planned. The SLS completed what NASA calls its Key Decision Point C (KDP-C) review, clearing the program to proceed into further development. The KDP-C set an estimated cost of that development at just over $7 billion, but also said the rocket would be ready for its first flight no later than November 2018. NASA had previously indicated SLS would launch on its first mission, EM-1, in December 2017. NASA officials said they are still working towards that earlier date, and the November 2018 date comes from models with a confidence level of 70 percent. Separate KDP-C reviews of SLS ground systems, and of the Orion spacecraft, are planned before NASA officials believe they will have a better estimate of the EM-1 launch date.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Roscosmos replaces cosmonaut on next Crew Dragon mission to ISS
Posted: Sat, Dec 6 9:45 AM ET (1445 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Friday, December 12
Ramon Sanchez Joins Firefly Aerospace as Chief Operating Officer
Firefly Aerospace — 6:16 am ET (1116 GMT) Firefly Aerospace Adds Volta’s Wireless Power Receiver to Blue Ghost Mission on Far Side of the Moon
Firefly Aerospace — 6:16 am ET (1116 GMT) The Exploration Company is Developing an In-Orbit Serving Vehicle
European Spaceflight — 6:14 am ET (1114 GMT) Draco: atmospheric reentry from the inside
ESA — 6:14 am ET (1114 GMT) Ariane 6 – made in Romania
ESA — 6:14 am ET (1114 GMT) |
