Space Launch System - Orion
Discussion
From NASA Marshall
The largest piece of structural test hardware for America’s new deep space rocket, the Space Launch System, was loaded into Test Stand 4693 at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama Jan. 14, 2019. The liquid hydrogen tank is part of the rocket’s core stage that is more than 200 feet tall with a diameter of 27.6 feet, and stores cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen that will feed the vehicle’s RS-25 engines. The liquid hydrogen tank test article is structurally identical to the flight version of the tank that will comprise two-thirds of the core stage and hold 537,000 gallons of supercooled liquid hydrogen at minus 423 degrees Fahrenheit. Dozens of hydraulic cylinders in the 215-foot-tall test stand will push and pull the tank, subjecting it to the same stresses and loads it will endure during liftoff and flight.
Image Credit: NASA/Tyler Martin
The largest piece of structural test hardware for America’s new deep space rocket, the Space Launch System, was loaded into Test Stand 4693 at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama Jan. 14, 2019. The liquid hydrogen tank is part of the rocket’s core stage that is more than 200 feet tall with a diameter of 27.6 feet, and stores cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen that will feed the vehicle’s RS-25 engines. The liquid hydrogen tank test article is structurally identical to the flight version of the tank that will comprise two-thirds of the core stage and hold 537,000 gallons of supercooled liquid hydrogen at minus 423 degrees Fahrenheit. Dozens of hydraulic cylinders in the 215-foot-tall test stand will push and pull the tank, subjecting it to the same stresses and loads it will endure during liftoff and flight.
Image Credit: NASA/Tyler Martin
MartG said:
From NASA Marshall
The largest piece of structural test hardware for America’s new deep space rocket, the Space Launch System, was loaded into Test Stand 4693 at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama Jan. 14, 2019. The liquid hydrogen tank is part of the rocket’s core stage that is more than 200 feet tall with a diameter of 27.6 feet, and stores cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen that will feed the vehicle’s RS-25 engines. The liquid hydrogen tank test article is structurally identical to the flight version of the tank that will comprise two-thirds of the core stage and hold 537,000 gallons of supercooled liquid hydrogen at minus 423 degrees Fahrenheit. Dozens of hydraulic cylinders in the 215-foot-tall test stand will push and pull the tank, subjecting it to the same stresses and loads it will endure during liftoff and flight.
Image Credit: NASA/Tyler Martin
I take it during these tests they fill the tank with something to simulate the fuel inside?The largest piece of structural test hardware for America’s new deep space rocket, the Space Launch System, was loaded into Test Stand 4693 at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama Jan. 14, 2019. The liquid hydrogen tank is part of the rocket’s core stage that is more than 200 feet tall with a diameter of 27.6 feet, and stores cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen that will feed the vehicle’s RS-25 engines. The liquid hydrogen tank test article is structurally identical to the flight version of the tank that will comprise two-thirds of the core stage and hold 537,000 gallons of supercooled liquid hydrogen at minus 423 degrees Fahrenheit. Dozens of hydraulic cylinders in the 215-foot-tall test stand will push and pull the tank, subjecting it to the same stresses and loads it will endure during liftoff and flight.
Image Credit: NASA/Tyler Martin
The fill it with nitrogen.
I like how they did this particular shake test on the Saturn V test vehicle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiKTQ0W9G1Q
Presumably they were checking the damping mechanisms and to make sure it wouldn't hit the gantries.
I like how they did this particular shake test on the Saturn V test vehicle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiKTQ0W9G1Q
Presumably they were checking the damping mechanisms and to make sure it wouldn't hit the gantries.
Beati Dogu said:
The fill it with nitrogen.
I like how they did this particular shake test on the Saturn V test vehicle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiKTQ0W9G1Q
Presumably they were checking the damping mechanisms and to make sure it wouldn't hit the gantries.
That's crazy, but indicative of how times change, now companies would spend millions design a way of doing that using clever pullies and stuff.I like how they did this particular shake test on the Saturn V test vehicle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiKTQ0W9G1Q
Presumably they were checking the damping mechanisms and to make sure it wouldn't hit the gantries.
EM-1 core stage now in final assembly ( at last )
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/01/boeing-fin...
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/01/boeing-fin...
NASA have requested $21 billion from the federal budget - a $283 million or 1.4-percent increase from the 2019 estimate.
Now for the interesting, SLS part:
"The budget proposes reforms to the SLS program to prevent the program’s significant cost and schedule challenges from further diverting resources from other exploration activities. "
"Notably, the Budget defers funding of upgrades (known as “Block 1B”) for the SLS, and instead focuses the program on the completion of the initial version of the SLS and supporting a reliable SLS and Orion annual flight cadence.
So the much larger Exploration Upper Stage & upgraded boosters for SLS are definitely getting put back.
Even more interestingly:
"Lunar gateway elements would be launched on competitively procured vehicles, complementing crew transport flights on the SLS and Orion. This approach would accelerate commercial lunar delivery capabilities critical to U.S. exploration objectives and speed up the timeline for lunar surface exploration."
So they're going to open up Moon-related development to the likes of ULA, Blue Origin and SpaceX.
I think this is clearly the right way to go. The commercial cargo and crew program for ISS has been a very good thing. It's only a pity they didn't start it earlier instead of wasting time & huge amounts of money on Constellation and now SLS.
Source:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019...
Now for the interesting, SLS part:
"The budget proposes reforms to the SLS program to prevent the program’s significant cost and schedule challenges from further diverting resources from other exploration activities. "
"Notably, the Budget defers funding of upgrades (known as “Block 1B”) for the SLS, and instead focuses the program on the completion of the initial version of the SLS and supporting a reliable SLS and Orion annual flight cadence.
So the much larger Exploration Upper Stage & upgraded boosters for SLS are definitely getting put back.
Even more interestingly:
"Lunar gateway elements would be launched on competitively procured vehicles, complementing crew transport flights on the SLS and Orion. This approach would accelerate commercial lunar delivery capabilities critical to U.S. exploration objectives and speed up the timeline for lunar surface exploration."
So they're going to open up Moon-related development to the likes of ULA, Blue Origin and SpaceX.
I think this is clearly the right way to go. The commercial cargo and crew program for ISS has been a very good thing. It's only a pity they didn't start it earlier instead of wasting time & huge amounts of money on Constellation and now SLS.
Source:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019...
MartG said:
Interesting. SLS might still hang on.With a planned launch cadence of one a year ( which it will probably never actually achieve ) I can see other 'heavy' launchers taking a lot of the payloads currently ( vaguely ) planned for SLS...and I can also see the EUS ( and thus Block 1B/Block 2 ) being cancelled eventually, though probably informally by never allocating funds for its development.
That seems to be how it's done.
I expect SLS has many enemies within NASA itself. They'd rather see the money spent on their own pet projects rather than a workware program for ex-Shuttle facilities for political reasons. NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine seems to be very keen about re-usability as well, which will have everyone but SpaceX & Blue Origin shuffling their feet nervously.
Heck even the brand new Orion capsule for SLS isn't reusable. Although they plan to be able to strip it down and re-use the pressure vessel by the 4th SLS flight. So yeah....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWJEjbkVSHw
Below is the full-scale Orion mock up on display at the Kennedy Space Center. It's motorised & revolves around the spindle.
Ironically (since they're the prime contractor on SLS), the success of ULA's forthcoming commercial crew flight to the ISS is really just another nail in SLS' coffin.
Boeing could really use a win right now too. They're stock price has dropped significantly after the two recent 737 Max crashes.
I expect SLS has many enemies within NASA itself. They'd rather see the money spent on their own pet projects rather than a workware program for ex-Shuttle facilities for political reasons. NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine seems to be very keen about re-usability as well, which will have everyone but SpaceX & Blue Origin shuffling their feet nervously.
Heck even the brand new Orion capsule for SLS isn't reusable. Although they plan to be able to strip it down and re-use the pressure vessel by the 4th SLS flight. So yeah....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWJEjbkVSHw
Below is the full-scale Orion mock up on display at the Kennedy Space Center. It's motorised & revolves around the spindle.
Ironically (since they're the prime contractor on SLS), the success of ULA's forthcoming commercial crew flight to the ISS is really just another nail in SLS' coffin.
Boeing could really use a win right now too. They're stock price has dropped significantly after the two recent 737 Max crashes.
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