Tag: SLS
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NASA Safety Panel call for crew risk mitigation via debut SLS mission
NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) praised the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion programs for making “considerable progress” during their latest meeting, but called for managers to ensure the debut SLS flight – known as Exploration Mission -1 (EM-1) – is heavily aimed at risk mitigation, ahead of the first crewed mission. ASAP on…
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SLS teams drawing on experience in preparation of actual hardware production
Space Launch System (SLS) teams are over a month into their DAC-2 (Design Analysis Cycle), as they push the Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLV) towards the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in 2013. During this process, Boeing are also preparing to start actual production of SLS hardware, via the creation of thousands of production drawings that…
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NASA teams evaluating ISS-built Exploration Platform roadmap
NASA’s Human Architecture Team (HAT) are coming to the conclusion of their support activity phase for what could be the major focal point for exploring deep space destinations. The Exploration Gateway/Platform – constructed from international modules at the ISS, before being deployed to EML2 – would see greater involvement from “existing launchers” in building the…
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SLS to be robust in the face of scrubs, launch delays and pad stays
The new Space Launch System (SLS) will be able to cope with a minimum of 13 scrubs – or cryo cycles – and remain happily at the launch pad for a minimum of 180 days, according to the latest technical overview document. This robust design approach will assist SLS in being able to deal with…
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Deep Space Habitat module concepts outlined for BEO exploration
With the push for exploration Beyond Earth Orbit (BEO) increasing, a proposed habitat for human exploration outside the confines of Earth’s immediate space is taking shape as NASA presses forward with the development of its new Deep Space Habitat (DSH) – a module-based habitation facility that will be used as part of manned exploration missions…
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NASA Advisory Council: Select a Human Exploration Destination ASAP
The NASA Advisory Council (NAC) – a body that provides the NASA Administrator with counsel and advice on programs and issues of importance to the Agency – has insisted a human exploration plan, or at least a destination, should be selected as soon as possible. The call comes just weeks ahead of the greatly anticipated…
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NASA Exploration Roadmap: A return to the Moon’s surface documented
The latest documentation relating to the efforts to create an Exploration Roadmap for NASA’s future has provided the strongest indication to date that the Agency wants to return US astronauts to the surface of the Moon. Listed as a Lunar Surface Sortie (LSS) mission, the Exploration Systems Development Division (ESD) revealed their plans via their…
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SLS Launch Vehicle specifications take shape as development continues
Eight months after the conclusion of the final Space Shuttle mission, the iconic winged-vehicle’s successor continues to take shape at various NASA centers, as the U.S. space agency further defines the Space Launch System requirements – as seen in the expansive SLS Program Launch Vehicle Specifications document, which provides details on the latest design baseline requirements…
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Vehicle of Record – SLS spares majority of Discovery’s storied MPS
As engineers finalize the removal of Main Propulsion System (MPS) hardware from the retired Space Shuttle fleet – comprising of large elements of the orbiter’s “guts” that are being donated to the Space Launch System (SLS) program – Orbiter Flow manager Stephanie Stilson revealed that “her baby”, Discovery, has held on to most of her…
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Boeing outlines new modules/technologies for Near Earth Asteroid missions
As NASA continues the early development phase of its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, contract companies of the U.S. space agency continue their push for new and innovative technologies – including Radiation Storm Shelters, Deep Space Habitats, and Solar Electric Propulsion – to be used as humankind pushes beyond the confines of planet Earth toward…