The first launch of NASA's space launch system, which will carry the new Orion satellite, should be possible by December 2019, according to NASA officials. although a new report indicates the estimated launch date in June 2020.
The mission, dubbed Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1), will be defused - even though, earlier this year, NASA has considered adding crews - and will pave the way for future missions to the moon and deep space.
NASA examined the challenges associated with the construction of the SLS rocket's main stage, the construction problems of Orion's first European service module and the damage caused by tornadoes at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. [How NASA Plans to Get Humans Back to the Moon (Video)]
"While the review of potential manufacturing and production risks indicates a launch date of June 2020, the agency runs until December 2019," said Robert Lightfoot, interim administrator. from NASA, in a statement.
"Since many of the key risks identified have not been realized, we are in a position to implement mitigation strategies to protect the December 2019 date," Lightfoot added. .
The officials said in the statement that the majority of the work for EM-1 is underway, and that they address the risks described in the report: They set up new production performance milestones for The basic SLS step as well helped the European Space Agency plan for any late deliveries of subcontractors.
NASA is still on track to cover the costs of EM-1 for a launch in 2019. If the launch is delayed until June 2020, project costs will remain within the limit of 15% for SLS, and will be slightly higher for ground systems, they added. The agency is currently building equipment for EM-1 and the next mission, which would bring the astronauts aboard.
"NASA's commitment to costs for Orion is through Mission-2 Exploration," officials said in a statement. "With NASA's multi-mission approach to deep space exploration, the agency has equipment in production for the first and second missions and is gearing up for the third flight. "
NASA has decided to test the Orion launch abandonment system before EM-1, and is targeting April 2019 for this test. This system would help astronauts stay safe during a launch failure.
Meanwhile, NASA will continue to target this launch in 2019. The five parts of the central SLS scene are built from October; The completed main floor will be larger than a 20-story building and will carry more than 700,000 gallons (2.6 million liters) of propellant.
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