National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA’s Space Launch System:

Space Launch System

A Capability for Deep Space Exploration
Stephen Creech
Assistant Program Manager, Strategy & Partnerships
Space Launch System (SLS) Program
April 2014

www.nasa.gov/sls
www.nasa.gov/sls
 SLS Evolutionary Development
Launch
Abort
System 30 ft (10 m)
Orion, Multi-Purpose
Crew Vehicle Commonality of Payload Interfaces
(MPCV- LMCO)
Interim Cryogenic
Propulsion Stage (ICPS)
Upper
(EELV 5m DCSS –
Stage
Boeing/ULA)
Core
Common design, & manufacturing
Avionics & Software
Core Stage/Avionics • Builds on Ares heritage
(Boeing)

5-Segment Solid Evolutionary Path to Future Capabilities

Rocket Booster (SRB) •  Minimizes unique configurations Advanced
(ATK) •  Allows incremental development Solid or
•  Evolve for Expanding Mission Capability Liquid
(i.e., RP
Engines)
Core Stage
Boosters
Engines (RS-25) Commonality of Engines
(AR)

Block 1 Block 2 Capability

Initial Capability, 2017-21 130 metric ton
70 metric ton Payload Payload
www.nasa.gov/sls
www.nasa.gov/sls
Lunar

Mars

Jupiter/Europa
Saturn via JGA
(mid 2030’s)

Saturn/Uranus
Direct
SLS Initial Configuration Performance

SLS_OPAG.3
 SLS Evolved Performance

Lunar
70 t Configuration

Mars
105 t Configuration

130 t Configuration

70 t SLS Shaves 5
Years off the Cruise
Time for Titan Saturn

Jupiter/Europa

Saturn via JGA

System Mission

(mid 2030s)

Saturn/Uranus
70 t SLS Shaves 4 Years
off the Cruise Time for

Direct
Uranus Orbiter and
Probe

www.nasa.gov/sls SLS_OPAG.4
 SLS Offers Unrivaled Payload Volume

u  SLS is investigating utilizing existing

fairings for early cargo flights, offering
payload envelope compatibility with
design for current EELVs

u  Phase A studies in work for 8.4m and

10 m fairing options

4m x 12m 5m x 14m 5m x 19m 8.4m x 31m 10m x 31m

(100 m3) (200 m3) (300 m3) (1200 m3) (1800 m3)
www.nasa.gov/sls 8335_SLS_JPL.5
 SLS Mission Benefits

u SLS Being Developed to Enable Exploration

• Volume and mass capability/margin required for
complex deep-space human mission
‒ Increased design simplicity
‒ Fewer origami-type payload designs needed to fit in the
fairing
‒ Simplifies on-orbit operations
‒ Reduced risks and hazards

u SLS investment can be leveraged for other

missions requiring large volume or mass, or
reduced trip times
‒ Deep Space Exploration
‒ Planetary Landers
‒ Human Habitats
‒ Great Observatories
‒ Space Solar Power
‒ Outer Planet Missions
‒ National Security Space Payloads

www.nasa.gov/sls SLS_OPAG.6
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! 0+=+,4'4)(.$6+=:\1&(5)+5&5.+?$,+3&(,?$&59$<3

SLS Mission Capabilities ! 8<)41&)+9$'+,)P(5V$\ &9-&5.+9$,4'4)(.6$+5

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&99()(45&=$&9-&5)&V+6$&59$W&,,&5)6$:<,)P+,

Space Habitat Asteroid Rendezvous Deep Space Telescope GEO Servicing

L*JJ*JHFF 7833,4-+9$:4,$;<'=(.$>+=+&6
,+:B$@C#08>$D&

Solar Probe Mars Sample Return Mars Cargo Lander Humans to Mars

Europa Clipper Enceladus Return Uranus Spacecraft Interstellar

www.nasa.gov/sls
 Recent Progress
Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter: Contract
awarded in February 2014.
Avionics: Flight software tested at Armstrong using
F-18 in November 2013; avionics “first light” marked in
January 2014.
Boosters: Thrust Vector Control test conducted in
October 2013; preparations underway for QM-1.
www.nasa.gov/sls
MPCV-to-Stage Adapter:
First flight hardware delivered to ULA for Exploration
Flight Test-1 in Fall 2014.
Core Stage: Initial confidence barrels and domes
completed; MAF tooling installation to be
completed in April 2014.
Engines: Thrust frame adapter
fitted to A-1 stand at Stennis Space
Center; RS-25 testing begins July 2014.
 Summary

u  SLS provides capability for human exploration missions.

• 70 t configuration enables EM-1 and EM-2 flight tests.
• Evolved configurations enable missions including humans to Mars.

u  SLS offers unrivaled benefits for a variety of missions.

• 70 t provides greater mass lift than any contemporary launch vehicle; 130 t
offers greater lift than any launch vehicle ever.
• With 8.4m and 10m fairings, SLS will over greater volume lift capability than
any other vehicle.
• Initial ICPS configuration and future evolution will offer high C3 for beyond-
Earth missions.

u  SLS is currently on schedule for first launch in December 2017.

• Preliminary design completed in July 2013; SLS is now in implementation.
• Manufacture and testing are currently underway.
• Hardware now exists representing all SLS elements.

www.nasa.gov/sls