SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
NASA to roll back its mega rocket after failing to complete countdown test
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 rocket from the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center to the Vehicle Assembly Building in the coming days. This marks a notable step back for the program, which has tried since April 1 to complete a "wet dress rehearsal" test, during which the rocket is fueled and brought to within 10 seconds of launch.
The decision comes after three tries during the last two weeks. Each fueling attempt was scuttled by one or more technical issues with the rocket, its mobile launch tower, or ground systems that supply propellants and gases. During the most recent attempt, on Thursday April 14, NASA succeeded in loading 49 percent of the core-stage liquid oxygen fuel tank and 5 percent of the liquid hydrogen tank.
While this represents progress, it did not include the most dynamic portion of the test, during which the rocket is fully fueled and pressurized; and it, the ground systems, and computer systems are put into a terminal countdown when every variable is closely monitored. NASA had hoped to complete this wet dress rehearsal test to work out the kinks in the complicated launch system so that, when the rocket is rolled out later this year for its actual launch, the countdown will proceed fairly smoothly.
Also at Spaceflight Now.
Previously: Artemis I Wet Dress Rehearsal Now Scheduled to Begin April 12
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 19 2022, @10:32AM (3 children)
Excluding Orion and the EUS, the SLS program burns around $5.5M per day. At that rate, once they finish rolling it back to the VAB on the 26th, this test will have cost around $143M. Between building both stages, permit fees, launch costs, and renting the Pacific Missile Range [wikipedia.org], Starship's upcoming orbital flight test could easily break $200M.
Wait, you said similar tests. My bad. ;)
(Score: 1) by khallow on Tuesday April 19 2022, @06:16PM (2 children)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 19 2022, @09:36PM (1 child)
So a bit less than ULA charges NASA for a single launch ($422M). By that logic Starship R&D should come in around $4B. That actually sounds about right if you include ground infrastructure and factory complex.
(Score: 1) by khallow on Tuesday April 19 2022, @10:14PM
$4 billion would indeed be over $2.5 billion.