Could the SLS reach orbit without solid rocket boosters?
Could the SLS block 1 reach orbit without solid rocket boosters, and if so, how much payload could it lift?
If it couldn't reach orbit in the block 1 config, could it do so with the Exploration Upper Stage?
I know the Atlas V and Delta IV can reach orbit with a single liquid first stage engine, so it doesn't seem like there'd be any problem with the SLS, which has 4.
sls
edited 2 hours ago
Russell Borogove
83.2k2280360
asked 3 hours ago
Eoin O'Kelly
211
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Could the SLS block 1 reach orbit without solid rocket boosters, and if so, how much payload could it lift?
If it couldn't reach orbit in the block 1 config, could it do so with the Exploration Upper Stage?
I know the Atlas V and Delta IV can reach orbit with a single liquid first stage engine, so it doesn't seem like there'd be any problem with the SLS, which has 4.
sls
edited 2 hours ago
Russell Borogove
83.2k2280360
asked 3 hours ago
Eoin O'Kelly
211
New contributor
Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
Follow-up question: could the SLS ever reach orbit with SRBs?
– leftaroundabout
3 hours ago
1
@leftaroundabout Too soon -- literally.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
add a comment |
Could the SLS block 1 reach orbit without solid rocket boosters, and if so, how much payload could it lift?
If it couldn't reach orbit in the block 1 config, could it do so with the Exploration Upper Stage?
I know the Atlas V and Delta IV can reach orbit with a single liquid first stage engine, so it doesn't seem like there'd be any problem with the SLS, which has 4.
sls
edited 2 hours ago
Russell Borogove
83.2k2280360
asked 3 hours ago
Eoin O'Kelly
211
New contributor
Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Could the SLS block 1 reach orbit without solid rocket boosters, and if so, how much payload could it lift?
If it couldn't reach orbit in the block 1 config, could it do so with the Exploration Upper Stage?
I know the Atlas V and Delta IV can reach orbit with a single liquid first stage engine, so it doesn't seem like there'd be any problem with the SLS, which has 4.
sls
sls
edited 2 hours ago
Russell Borogove
83.2k2280360
asked 3 hours ago
Eoin O'Kelly
211
New contributor
Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 hours ago
Russell Borogove
83.2k2280360
asked 3 hours ago
Eoin O'Kelly
211
New contributor
Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 hours ago
Russell Borogove
83.2k2280360
edited 2 hours ago
Russell Borogove
83.2k2280360
edited 2 hours ago
Russell Borogove
83.2k2280360
83.2k2280360
asked 3 hours ago
Eoin O'Kelly
211
New contributor
Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 3 hours ago
Eoin O'Kelly
211
asked 3 hours ago
Eoin O'Kelly
211
211
New contributor
Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
Follow-up question: could the SLS ever reach orbit with SRBs?
– leftaroundabout
3 hours ago
1
@leftaroundabout Too soon -- literally.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
add a comment |
2
Follow-up question: could the SLS ever reach orbit with SRBs?
– leftaroundabout
3 hours ago
1
@leftaroundabout Too soon -- literally.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
2
2
Follow-up question: could the SLS ever reach orbit with SRBs?
– leftaroundabout
3 hours ago
Follow-up question: could the SLS ever reach orbit with SRBs?
– leftaroundabout
3 hours ago
1
1
@leftaroundabout Too soon -- literally.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
@leftaroundabout Too soon -- literally.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
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Fully fueled, the first stage alone has only an 0.77:1 thrust-to-weight ratio; it can't even get off the ground without help from the boosters.
According to some spreadsheet estimating, I believe that with the ICPS and an underloading of first-stage propellant -- say, 500 tons instead of its usual 894 tons of hydrogen and LOX -- it could get off the ground and reach LEO with 20-23 tons of payload, which is no more than some Atlas V or Delta IV configurations can do. This would be wasteful, since it would be hauling propellant tanks that were nearly half empty at liftoff.
All stages and engines are not created equal; the empty weight of the SLS core stage is four times that of the Atlas V and three times that of the Delta IV cores.
answered 3 hours ago
Russell Borogove
83.2k2280360
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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oldest
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votes
Fully fueled, the first stage alone has only an 0.77:1 thrust-to-weight ratio; it can't even get off the ground without help from the boosters.
According to some spreadsheet estimating, I believe that with the ICPS and an underloading of first-stage propellant -- say, 500 tons instead of its usual 894 tons of hydrogen and LOX -- it could get off the ground and reach LEO with 20-23 tons of payload, which is no more than some Atlas V or Delta IV configurations can do. This would be wasteful, since it would be hauling propellant tanks that were nearly half empty at liftoff.
All stages and engines are not created equal; the empty weight of the SLS core stage is four times that of the Atlas V and three times that of the Delta IV cores.
answered 3 hours ago
Russell Borogove
83.2k2280360
add a comment |
Fully fueled, the first stage alone has only an 0.77:1 thrust-to-weight ratio; it can't even get off the ground without help from the boosters.
According to some spreadsheet estimating, I believe that with the ICPS and an underloading of first-stage propellant -- say, 500 tons instead of its usual 894 tons of hydrogen and LOX -- it could get off the ground and reach LEO with 20-23 tons of payload, which is no more than some Atlas V or Delta IV configurations can do. This would be wasteful, since it would be hauling propellant tanks that were nearly half empty at liftoff.
All stages and engines are not created equal; the empty weight of the SLS core stage is four times that of the Atlas V and three times that of the Delta IV cores.
answered 3 hours ago
Russell Borogove
83.2k2280360
add a comment |
Fully fueled, the first stage alone has only an 0.77:1 thrust-to-weight ratio; it can't even get off the ground without help from the boosters.
According to some spreadsheet estimating, I believe that with the ICPS and an underloading of first-stage propellant -- say, 500 tons instead of its usual 894 tons of hydrogen and LOX -- it could get off the ground and reach LEO with 20-23 tons of payload, which is no more than some Atlas V or Delta IV configurations can do. This would be wasteful, since it would be hauling propellant tanks that were nearly half empty at liftoff.
All stages and engines are not created equal; the empty weight of the SLS core stage is four times that of the Atlas V and three times that of the Delta IV cores.
answered 3 hours ago
Russell Borogove
83.2k2280360
Fully fueled, the first stage alone has only an 0.77:1 thrust-to-weight ratio; it can't even get off the ground without help from the boosters.
According to some spreadsheet estimating, I believe that with the ICPS and an underloading of first-stage propellant -- say, 500 tons instead of its usual 894 tons of hydrogen and LOX -- it could get off the ground and reach LEO with 20-23 tons of payload, which is no more than some Atlas V or Delta IV configurations can do. This would be wasteful, since it would be hauling propellant tanks that were nearly half empty at liftoff.
All stages and engines are not created equal; the empty weight of the SLS core stage is four times that of the Atlas V and three times that of the Delta IV cores.
answered 3 hours ago
Russell Borogove
83.2k2280360
edited 2 hours ago
answered 3 hours ago
Russell Borogove
83.2k2280360
answered 3 hours ago
Russell Borogove
83.2k2280360
answered 3 hours ago
Russell Borogove
83.2k2280360
83.2k2280360
add a comment |
add a comment |
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2
Follow-up question: could the SLS ever reach orbit with SRBs?
– leftaroundabout
3 hours ago
1
@leftaroundabout Too soon -- literally.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago