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SLS (Block-1) [NASA]

SLS (Block-2) [NASA]

The SLS (Space Launch System) is NASA's planned heavy lift rocket replacing the cancelled Ares-5 concept.

The SLS will be designed to carry the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, as well as important cargo, equipment and science experiments to Earth's orbit and destinations beyond. Additionally, the SLS will serve as a back up for commercial and international partner transportation services to the International Space Station.

The rocket concept is also called in-line SD-HLV (Shuttle derived - Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle) as it uses many parts of Shuttle heritage. It will consist of two 5-segmented solid rocket boosters (SRB) derived from the 4-segmented SRBs of the Shuttle. The core is also derived from the Shuttle 8.4 m diameter external tank and will be powered by versions of the Shuttle's SSME engines. Initially it will use RS-25D engines left over from the shuttle program, while later they will be replaced by expendable versions called RS-25E. The early developent flights will use three engines, while later versions can also use five engines for increased performance.

The initial two flights will use the 5-segmented SRB, but for later versions, the boosters will be competed based on performance requirements and affordability considerations. Both Advanced Composite Boosters (ACBs) and Liquid Rocket Boosters (LRBs) are under consideration.

The first two flights will use an interim cryogenic upperstage (iCPS) derived from the 5 m version of the Delta-4 upper stage.

On later version, an upper stage using the J-2X engine of Saturn-5 heritage will be used for high energy missions.

The first developmental flight is targeted for the end of 2017.

No: Serial:       Type:                   Fai  Date         LS           Payload

none


planned:

 1                SLS (Block 1) iCPS           xx.xx.2017   CC LC-39B    Orion 1
 2                SLS (Block 1) iCPS           xx.xx.2018   CC LC-39B    Orion 2