He SLS (Space Launch System) rocket of NASA, designed to take astronauts to the moon, has been the subject of numerous recent headlines. However, not all of them have been positive. Despite its promise to usher in a new era of space exploration, the project has faced criticism due to cost overruns and significant delays.
According to a recent report from NASA’s Inspector General, the SLS has exceeded its original budget by $6 billion and has suffered delays of more than six years. These problems could jeopardize the Artemis mission, whose goal is to return humans to the moon.
The total cost of the Artemis Program is expected to reach $93 billion by 2025, including the $23.8 billion already spent on the SLS system through 2022. This spending represents an increase of $6 billion and more than six years behind schedule compared to NASA’s original projections.
legacy technology
The SLS uses four RS-25 engines per launch, including 16 salvaged from retired space shuttles. Once these run out, NASA plans to switch to the RS-25E engines, which are being built by Aerojet Rocketdyne. These new engines are expected to be 30% cheaper and 11% more powerful.
However, the reliance on legacy technology has presented its own challenges. The Inspector General’s report notes that the complexity of developing, upgrading, and integrating new systems alongside legacy components turned out to be much greater than anticipated.
Despite the obstacles, NASA remains committed to SLS and the Artemis mission. The agency has accepted all of the recommendations in the Inspector General’s report, including transitioning to fixed-price contracts and resolving procurement issues.
The future of space exploration depends largely on NASA’s ability to overcome these challenges and carry out the Artemis mission successfully. Despite delays and cost overruns, SLS remains a key piece in the puzzle of lunar exploration and beyond.
Learn more at oig.nasa.gov
