That's one small step for man, one giant budget killer.
NASA's new space launch system (SLS) is now ready to perform tests for rockets that will launch humans into space to new parts of the solar system. However, they may not be ready to bear the brunt of the bill, according to a new audit. This may cause them to delay their projected test date of December 2017 and delay the space program in general.
NASA engineers installed a new RS-25 engine to the A-1 Test Stand at the Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi on Thursday July 24.
They are planning to test the RS-25 engine, which is a version of the space shuttle engine that was used for space flights from 1981 to 2011. The Space Launch System's base will be powered by four RS-25 engines.
Steve Wofford, the SLS Liquid Engines Element manager said, "This test series is a major milestone because it will be our first opportunity to operate the engine with a new controller and to test propellant inlet conditions for SLS that are different than the space shuttle. This testing will confirm the RS-25 will be successful at powering SLS."
These tests will collect data about how these engines perform with the new engine controllers. The new controller will regulate valves directing the flow of propellant into the engine. This kind of engine test is known as a hotfire test, because it determines the amount of thrust generated during the engine test.
Gary Benton, the RS-25 rocket engine test project manager at Stannis, said "Installation of RS-25 engine No. 0525 signals the launch of another major rocket engine test project for human space exploration on the A-1 Test Stand."
This new rocket launch system is designed to take astronauts deeper into our solar system than humans have ever gone before. They plan to take astronauts to an asteroid, and even to Mars.
However, a too-tight budget may cause NASA to delay the first test of this rocket. A report, requested by Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, suggested that the SLS program does not have a big enough budget for its intended December 2017 test date.
The GAO report warned NASA not to overfund the SLS project by cutting into funding for its other programs. "Although cost and schedule growth can occur on any project, increases associated with NASA's most costly and complex missions- such as SLS, which makes up about 9 percent of NASA's annual budget-can have dramatic effects on the availability of funding for NASA's portfolio of major projects."
