[meteorite-list] NASA Announces Design For New Deep Space Exploration System

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:11:27 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <201109141611.p8EGBRki007401_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

Sept. 14, 2011

David S. Weaver
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
david.s.weaver at nasa.gov

Michael Braukus/J.D. Harrington
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1979/5241
michael.j.braukus at nasa.gov/j.d.harrington at nasa.gov


RELEASE: 11-301

NASA ANNOUNCES DESIGN FOR NEW DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION SYSTEM

New Heavy-lift Rocket Will Take Humans Far Beyond Earth

WASHINGTON -- NASA has selected the design of a new Space Launch
System that will take the agency's astronauts farther into space than
ever before, create high-quality jobs here at home, and provide the
cornerstone for America's future human space exploration efforts.

This new heavy-lift rocket-in combination with a crew capsule already
under development, increased support for the commercialization of
astronaut travel to low Earth orbit, an extension of activities on
the International Space Station until at least 2020, and a fresh
focus on new technologies-is key to implementing the plan laid out by
President Obama and Congress in the bipartisan 2010 NASA
Authorization Act, which the president signed last year. The booster
will be America's most powerful since the Saturn V rocket that
carried Apollo astronauts to the moon and will launch humans to
places no one has gone before.

"This launch system will create good-paying American jobs, ensure
continued U.S. leadership in space, and inspire millions around the
world," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "President Obama
challenged us to be bold and dream big, and that's exactly what we
are doing at NASA. While I was proud to fly on the space shuttle,
tomorrow's explorers will now dream of one day walking on Mars."

This launch vehicle decision is the culmination of a months-long,
comprehensive review of potential designs to ensure the nation gets a
rocket that is not only powerful but also evolvable so it can be
adapted to different missions as opportunities arise and new
technologies are developed.

"Having settled on a new and powerful heavy-lift launch architecture,
NASA can now move ahead with building that rocket and the
next-generation vehicles and technologies needed for an ambitious
program of crewed missions in deep space," said John P. Holdren,
assistant to the President for Science and Technology. "I'm excited
about NASA's new path forward and about its promise for continuing
American leadership in human space exploration."

The SLS will carry human crews beyond low Earth orbit in a capsule
named the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. The rocket will use a
liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen fuel system, where RS-25D/E engines
will provide the core propulsion and the J2X engine is planned for
use in the upper stage. There will be a competition to develop the
boosters based on performance requirements.

The decision to go with the same fuel system for the core and the
upper stage was based on a NASA analysis demonstrating that use of
common components can reduce costs and increase flexibility. The
heavy-lift rocket's early flights will be capable of lifting 70-100
metric tons before evolving to a lift capacity of 130 metric tons.

The early developmental flights may take advantage of existing solid
boosters and other existing hardware. These flights will enable NASA
to reduce developmental risk, drive innovation within the agency and
private industry, and accomplish early exploration objectives.

"NASA has been making steady progress toward realizing the president's
goal of deep space exploration, while doing so in a more affordable
way," NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver said. "We have been
driving down the costs on the Space Launch System and Orion contracts
by adopting new ways of doing business and project hundreds of
millions of dollars of savings each year."

NASA elected to initiate a competition for the booster stage based on
performance parameters rather than on the type of propellant because
of the need for flexibility. The specific acquisition strategy for
procuring the core stage, booster stage, and upper stage is being
developed and will be announced at a later time.

To learn more about the development of the SLS, visit:

http://go.nasa.gov/newlaunchsystem

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration

-end-
Received on Wed 14 Sep 2011 12:11:27 PM PDT