Enlarge / The Space Launch System rocket rolls out of the Vehicle Assembly Building in mid-March, 2022. (credit: Trevor Mahlmann) After three attempts to complete a critical fueling test of the Space Launch System rocket, NASA has decided to take a break. On Saturday night the space agency announced plans to roll the large SLS […]
Enlarge / Will the third time be the charm for a Space Launch System rocket fueling test? NASA will find out this week. (credit: Trevor Mahlmann) NASA will resume its efforts to complete a key fueling test of the Space Launch System rocket on Tuesday. The space agency has decided to modify this test, however, […]
Enlarge / The launch-vehicle stage adapter for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket is integrated with the core stage in June 2021. (credit: NASA) NASA said Wednesday that it is now targeting “mid-February” for an initial rollout of the Space Launch System rocket to the launch pad. The space agency set the new date after engineers […]
Enlarge / A view of NASA’s SLS rocket, nearly fully assembled, in September 2020. (credit: NASA) NASA has asked the US aerospace industry how it would go about “maximizing the long-term efficiency and sustainability” of the Space Launch System rocket and its associated ground systems. The request comes as NASA and its chief contractor for […]
Enlarge / The Orion spacecraft for NASA’s Artemis I mission is lifted above the Space Launch System rocket in the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center. (credit: NASA) Last week NASA and its myriad contractors for the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft reached a significant milestone—creating a full stack of the rocket and […]
Enlarge / The launch vehicle stage adapter for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket is integrated with the core stage in June. (credit: NASA) Publicly NASA is still holding onto the possibility of a 2021 launch date for the debut flight of its Space Launch System rocket. This week, an agency spokesperson told Ars that “NASA […]
Enlarge / During a second attempt, the SLS core stage fires for a full eight minutes at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. (credit: Trevor Mahlmann ) After spending more than 15 months at the Stennis Space Center in Southern Mississippi, the core stage of NASA’s large Space Launch System rocket departed for Florida in late […]
Enlarge / Retiring Sen. Richard C. Shelby, R-Ala. (credit: Scott J. Ferrell | Getty Images) Nearly two years ago then-NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine made a remarkable appearance before a Senate committee to discuss US leadership in space. He was feeling the pressure to keep deadlines—something NASA struggles to do given the scope and complexity of […]