The SLS: NASA's Expensive Journey Back to the Moon

TLDRNASA's Space Launch System (SLS) seeks to return humans to the moon after five decades. However, questions have been raised about its purpose and cost efficiency. The SLS borrows from the Saturn program and Space Shuttle Program, combining concepts and parts. Despite using reusable technology, the SLS is not reusable itself. The resurrection of the SLS is driven by politics and job creation. While the SLS may be costly and inefficient, it represents a nostalgic era and inspires awe. It is a stepping stone to future space exploration and colonization.

Key insights

🚀The SLS is a massive rocket that combines elements from the Saturn program and the Space Shuttle Program.

💰The SLS has faced criticism for its cost, amounting to billions of dollars.

🔧Despite using reusable technology, the SLS boosters are not recovered and refurbished.

🌍The resurrection of the SLS is driven by politics, job creation, and nostalgia for past space missions.

👨‍🚀The SLS represents an exciting time in aerospace, with the potential for future moon exploration and colonization.

Q&A

Why is the SLS so expensive?

The elevated costs of the SLS can be partially attributed to job creation and spreading jobs across different states in the United States.

Is the SLS reusable?

While some components of the SLS, such as the engines, are reused from previous space shuttle missions, the boosters themselves are not recovered or refurbished.

What is the purpose of the SLS?

The purpose of the SLS is to return humans to the moon after a gap of five decades, serving as a stepping stone for future space exploration and colonization.

Why was the Constellation program canceled?

The Constellation program was canceled in 2010 due to its high costs. However, it was later resurrected under the name Artemis, with the intention of reusing technology and contracts from the Constellation program.

What are the key components of the SLS?

The SLS consists of two solid rocket boosters, a core stage with propellant tanks, and four RS-25 engines.

Timestamped Summary

00:00The SLS aims to return humans to the moon after five decades.

01:18The SLS borrows concepts and parts from the Saturn program and the Space Shuttle Program.

03:47The SLS boosters are not recovered or refurbished, unlike reusable rockets.

04:41The resurrection of the SLS is driven by politics and job creation, in response to the cancellation of the Constellation program.

06:50The SLS represents an exciting time in aerospace and serves as a stepping stone for future space exploration and colonization.