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WASHINGTON – Although NASA has not yet updated the schedule for the first flight of its space launch system, companies working on the heavy-lift rocket now expect the rocket to be launched early in 2021 rather than 2020.
The first launch of the SLS, as part of a mission called Artemis 1, was officially scheduled for the second half of 2020, which was already two years late. This date is under consideration as NASA brings new leadership to its exploration programs following the reassignment of former associate director Bill Gerstenmaier and his deputy Bill Hill in July.
At a roundtable discussion at the Indianapolis Propulsion and Energy Forum, organized by the US Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Indianapolis, senior executives of SLS-affiliated companies projected that launch , based on the work to be done for probably not before the beginning of 2021.
Jeff Foote, vice president of NASA's programs at Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, said he was expecting the agency to decide to perform a static firing test on the Central stage of Stennis Space Center next year. Do not arrive at the Kennedy Space Center for preparations for the launch until the end of 2020.
"From then on, with the integration of Orion, the evening dress rehearsal, etc., there are probably two quarters, maybe two-quarters and a half, or work is under way to arrive at a launch date, "he said. "So, probably early in 2021. It could happen sooner, later."
The main stage is on the critical path of the launch for some time due to problems related to its engine section. NASA and Boeing now expect the main phase to be complete and ready for shipment to Stennis by the end of the year.
"We're likely to launch it in the second or third quarter of next year and do a full test," said Robert Broeren, Boeing SLS Integrated Product Steward, about the Green Run test on the panel. . "After that, it will probably take a long time to make alterations and improvements, then we will place it on a houseboat and send it to Cape Town."
Earlier this year, NASA had stated that it was considering whether or not to use the Green Run test, as skipping it would save several months of time. However, NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine announced on July 25 that NASA would proceed with the test.
Bridenstine visited Michwing's installation facility in New Orleans, where Boeing is building the main stage on August 15, and is said to be later impressed by the progress noted. "What I saw there was absolutely breathtaking," he said on Aug. 16 at a separate event at the Marshall Space Flight Center. He acknowledged the difficulties of the engine section that delayed the completion of the main phase, as well as NASA's efforts to bypass it by first integrating the other sections of the main phase.
This engine section, he said, is almost ready to be integrated with the rest of the main scene, followed by its four RS-25 engines. He confirmed that the work should be completed by the end of the year.
Bridenstine did not discuss the Artemis 1 calendar in these remarks, but on July 17, witnesses before the Senate Commerce Committee suggested that a first launch in 2021, rather than 2020, was likely . "I think 2021 is quite achievable" for this mission, he said at that time, but indicated that he wanted to bring new leadership to the exploration program of the city. Agency before setting a firm date.
A shift to 2021 would not necessarily delay the first crewed SLS / Orion mission, Artemis 2, scheduled for 2022. "If Artemis 1 is launched by mid-2021 at the latest, it will have no impact on Artemis 2" Bridenstine said in August .3 An email was sent to Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), who, a few days earlier, had written to the NASA administrator expressing concerns about cost and schedule with SLS and other important NASA programs.
"It's a realistic plan," added Bridenstine, "but I'd like to have a new leadership in place and engaged in an integrated schedule before making an appointment."
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