Science

NASA’s Moon Rocket Faces Uncertain Future as Cancellation Looms

2024-11-13

Author: Jacques

NASA’s Moon Rocket Faces Uncertain Future as Cancellation Looms

NASA's ambitious Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, designed to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time in over fifty years, may be on the verge of cancellation. Insiders, including senior space reporter Eric Berger from Ars Technica, suggest there is “at least a 50-50” chance that the entire SLS program could be scrapped, raising alarms within the space community.

There are specific concerns regarding both the Block 1B variant, which was utilized for last year's Artemis I uncrewed mission, and the future Block 2 version, intended to carry significantly heavier payloads. As Berger warns, the prospects for all variants of the SLS appear grim.

Historically, Berger’s sources are known for their accuracy, which adds weight to the apprehensions that NASA might reconsider its investment in a rocket that has already faced monumental budget overruns and delays. The SLS has absorbed more than $6 billion beyond its projected costs and has suffered from a timeline that extends more than five years past its original schedule.

Former NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver characterized the SLS as “not sustainable” in past discussions. Michael Griffin, a former NASA administrator, has also been vocal about the complexities and high costs associated with the Artemis program. He warned that the project poses significant safety risks and mission failures, raising further questions about its future viability.

The SLS has only completed a single launch as part of the Artemis I mission in 2022, and safety concerns have arisen following damage to the Orion spacecraft during the mission. A recent report from NASA’s Office of Inspector General indicates that costs associated with the launch tower for Artemis IV have skyrocketed to $1.8 billion, with many aspects of the program still lagging significantly behind schedule.

Boeing, the lead contractor for the SLS, is reported to be struggling with production challenges for the Block 1B configuration, which is critical for future missions. Issues including insufficient quality management and increasing costs threaten its timeline.

Unlike SpaceX’s fully reusable Starship, which has emerged as a potential alternative for future missions, the SLS is a non-reusable system that requires the construction of new rocket stages for every Artemis launch. If NASA decides to pursue other options, Berger speculates that they might look to hybrid solutions that involve launching the Orion spacecraft on one rocket — potentially SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy — and then coupling it with a United Launch Alliance Centaur V for the Moon mission.

While decision-making authority may shift with incoming political leadership, the urgency for a radical change in direction is palpable. As NASA grapples with these challenges, the world watches closely to see whether the SLS program will reach its ambitious goals or be consigned to history.

With numerous deadlines looming and the need for safety paramount, one question persists: Can NASA rise to the occasion, or are we witnessing the end of its return to the Moon? The fate of the Artemis program remains uncertain, as the space agency must weigh its options carefully in these challenging times.