Troubled SLS programme suffers another big setback

Hanno Labuschagne

Hanno Labuschagne

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Troubled SLS programme suffers another big setback

Nasa’s latest rocket demonstrated one of the biggest and most enduring frustrations that comes with launching new and highly complicated space technology: waiting.

Though expectations were high for Monday’s scheduled first launch of Nasa’s new Space Launch System rocket, or the SLS, the space agency was careful to temper expectations ahead of the planned lift-off.

[Bloomberg]
 
Ragnarök said:
Why don't they just use the 1960's washing machine technology
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They did consider that. Apparently they no longer have the capability to manufacture the big F-1 engines anymore. The SLS is instead using left over engines from the Space Shuttle.
 
gregmcc said:
A good video explaining why they can't just remake the F1's

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Yeah no...sounds like Hollywood-style spin doctoring BS.
"We have the blueprints, but those pesky engineers never took any notes or documented any changes".
Laughable at best:ROFL:
 
SubtleBeast said:
Yeah no...sounds like Hollywood-style spin doctoring BS.
"We have the blueprints, but those pesky engineers never took any notes or documented any changes".
Laughable at best:ROFL:
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The main point that was made is that we no longer have the skills. The proposed modern version, if it had been built, would have relied heavily on 3D printing to make up for this deficit.
 
Randux said:
Can't launch a modern rocket to the moon and you expect me to believe they somehow did it in the 60s? GTFOH!
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Yes, its easy to understand. Remove the budget constraints, politics, the need to allow everyone's whim to be catered-for and actual adherence to Government's regulations and you can see why it was doable in the 60s, but not by today's standards.

Next they'll find a rare frog or something on the launch pad and cancel the whole project... Its unfortunately the time we live in. I would have preferred the 60s from a people point of view, though I like today's tech.
 
Randux said:
Can't launch a modern rocket to the moon and you expect me to believe they somehow did it in the 60s? GTFOH!
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1661848343231.png

Sojourner, Spirit and Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance just called... they want you off the internet.
As for "modern rocket", some of it yes, but the main hardware is basically refurbished parts from the space shuttle era to save on cost on a project that has something like 1/5th the budget of the 60's moon landing.
 
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neoprema said:
Yes, its easy to understand. Remove the budget constraints, politics, the need to allow everyone's whim to be catered-for and actual adherence to Government's regulations and you can see why it was doable in the 60s, but not by today's standards.

Next they'll find a rare frog or something on the launch pad and cancel the whole project... Its unfortunately the time we live in. I would have preferred the 60s from a people point of view, though I like today's tech.
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Yup the space race was in short get to the moon FIRST at all costs, no expensive spared...
 
garyc said:
The main point that was made is that we no longer have the skills. The proposed modern version, if it had been built, would have relied heavily on 3D printing to make up for this deficit.
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You believe this to be true? A lot of brilliant mechanical engineering today that doesn't rely on 3D printing.
 
SubtleBeast said:
You believe this to be true? A lot of brilliant mechanical engineering today that doesn't rely on 3D printing.
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I am an engineer who has been working in the aeronautical field since the 80s, with some exposure to the trailing off activities of Apollo / Skylab.

I definitely believe this to be true.
 
garyc said:
I am an engineer who has been working in the aeronautical field since the 80s, with some exposure to the trailing off activities of Apollo / Skylab.

I definitely believe this to be true.
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Then the skills are there. Just need to be utilized?
 
SubtleBeast said:
Yeah no...sounds like Hollywood-style spin doctoring BS.
"We have the blueprints, but those pesky engineers never took any notes or documented any changes".
Laughable at best:ROFL:
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Not really. Makes perfect sense to me when you consider they didn't have CAD or CNC. Skilled artisans would handcraft the engines from the blueprint using tooling and techniques that nobody alive still has experience with.

These days you don't have to do any of that as the design and fit are all tested in CAD, etc, in advance. The components are precision cut, and there are advanced welding techniques etc. Don't forget, designed on a blueprint, they were only 2D line drawings, with only manual calculations and geometry to work out if everything fit together.
 
MrGray said:
Not really. Makes perfect sense to me when you consider they didn't have CAD or CNC. Skilled artisans would handcraft the engines from the blueprint using tooling and techniques that nobody alive still has experience with.

These days you don't have to do any of that as the design and fit are all tested in CAD, etc, in advance. The components are precision cut, and there are advanced welding techniques etc. Don't forget, designed on a blueprint, they were only 2D line drawings, with only manual calculations and geometry to work out if everything fit together.
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Thanks. Really good explanation. Makes sense.
Edit: so essentially; with all our advances in technology we actually went backwards?
 
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