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NASA’s Space Launch System Rocket Costs $6 Billion Above Budget and is Six Years Behind Schedule
NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket cost the space agency $6 billion more than its original budget and is six years behind schedule, a shocking report recently revealed. The massive rocket is designed to return humans to the Moon, but could end up jeopardizing the space agency’s lunar program as funds run low.
The Cost of Artemis Moon Program
The office of NASA’s inspector general released its final report on Thursday, auditing the space agency’s management of the contracts for the SLS rocket and its engines. The report found that NASA’s overall investment in its Artemis Moon program is projected to reach $93 billion from 2012 through 2025. The costs of SLS alone represent $23.8 billion spent through 2022, $6 billion more than the initial budget projection.
Launch and Engine Details
The SLS rocket launched on November 16, 2022 for the Artemis 1 mission, sending an uncrewed Orion spacecraft around the Moon and back. NASA’s 5.75-million-pound rocket is outfitted with four RS-25 engines originally built by Aerojet Rocketdyne for the Space Shuttle project, which operated from 1981 to 2011. NASA has a total of four contracts with Aerojet Rocketdyne for the RS-25 engines and Northrop Grumman for the boosters, which were also used during the Shuttle era.
RS-25E Engines and Cost Reduction Measures
NASA salvaged 16 RS-25 engines from retired Space Shuttles, of which four were used during Artemis 1. Once these run out, the space agency will switch to RS-25E engines currently being built by Aerojet Rocketdyne, which cost 30% less than the originals but provide 111% of rated thrust. SLS is completely expendable, including its engines.
Cost Increase and Reasons behind It
The report blamed the cost increases on “assumptions that the use of heritage technologies from the Space Shuttle and Constellation Programs were expected to result in significant cost and schedule savings compared to developing new systems for the SLS.” Instead, integrating new systems with the older components ended up being more complex, according to the report.
Future Plans and Warnings
NASA is trying to decrease SLS costs moving forward, with the projected 30% price dip per engine. “However, those savings do not capture overhead and other costs,” the report stated. As a result of the cost increase, the 50-page report includes a warning to the space agency’s lunar ambitions. The Artemis program might suffer as a result of mismanagement, which would result in a reduced availability of funds, delayed launches and a loss of the public’s trust.
Conclusion
NASA’s SLS rocket was developed with the goal of returning humans to the Moon. However, six years behind schedule and $6 billion over budget, the project has the potential to harm NASA’s lunar program as funds run low. Although there are cost reduction measures in place, including switching to less expensive engines, the report warns of a continued lack of transparency and oversight. To meet mission goals and objectives, including sending humans safely to the Moon and onward to Mars, greater attention needs to be paid to safeguarding against cost overruns and schedule delays.
FAQs
What is the current status of the SLS rocket?
The SLS rocket launched on November 16, 2022, for the Artemis 1 mission, sending an uncrewed Orion spacecraft around the Moon and back. NASA’s Artemis Moon program includes two additional launches, Artemis 2 and Artemis 3, scheduled for late 2024 and 2025/2026, respectively.
What is the cost of the Artemis Moon Program?
The Artemis Moon program’s overall investment is projected to reach $93 billion from 2012 through 2025. The cost of the SLS rocket alone is $23.8 billion, $6 billion more than the initial budget projection.
How many RS-25 engines is NASA using?
NASA is using four RS-25 engines, originally built by Aerojet Rocketdyne for the Space Shuttle project.
What are RS-25E engines?
RS-25E engines are the engines that NASA plans to use when the salvaged RS-25 engines run out. They are being developed by Aerojet Rocketdyne and, compared to the originals, cost 30% less while providing 111% of rated thrust.
What is the reason behind the cost increase of the SLS rocket?
The report blamed the cost increases on “assumptions that the use of heritage technologies from the Space Shuttle and Constellation Programs were expected to result in significant cost and schedule savings compared to developing new systems for the SLS.” Instead, integrating new systems with the older components ended up being more complex, according to the report.
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