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
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, February 7
Quebec working to unhook from Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service, CAQ MNA says
Montreal Gazette — 6:05 am ET (1105 GMT) Readout of Commander, U.S. Space Forces in Europe – Space Forces Africa Brig. Gen. Jacob Middleton’s Visit to Finland
US Air Force — 6:01 am ET (1101 GMT) SDA gets new acting director amid investigation of Derek Tournear
Defensescoop — 6:01 am ET (1101 GMT) Air Force taps Rapid Capabilities Office deputy as acting SDA chief
Breaking Defense — 6:01 am ET (1101 GMT) Investors fret over Eutelsat and SES finances as Starlink threat looms
Financial Times — 5:58 am ET (1058 GMT) |
