![]() Is this an accurate assessment of what the rockets should be able to do once they start flying?ĭumbacher: “We need to make sure we’re comparing apples to apples there. SpaceFlight Insider: As we understand it, it would take several launches of a Falcon Heavy rocket to compete with a single SLS launch. Was it even fair to compare SLS to the Falcon Heavy or United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy? The next subject broached was one of capability. Therefore the statement Falcon Heavy will fly a full decade before SLS? Is totally false. The 2017 launch date was also confirmed by NASA’s Associate Administrator, Robert Lightfoot during a media event at Kennedy Space Center on March 17, 2014. We also have some slack in terms of the schedule in some key places for that 2017 date.” We could stub our toes on technical issues along the way. So, we’re on track for 2017, but, as everyone knows in this business, you learn things along the way which could see that be pushed back. The FY 2014 Omnibus Bill continues to help us along that path. We are working toward the first SLS launch in December 2017. Given that everything we have seen says 2017 – is that date still accurate?ĭumbacher: “Sure, that’s not a problem. SpaceFlight Insider: This first question is a new one there have been statements SLS won’t fly for a decade. As it currently stands, SLS is scheduled to conduct its first flight in 2017 with the first launch of the Falcon Heavy, set to launch either later this year or in 2015 – making the difference between the two launch dates – three years – not the 10 that was claimed. The first rumor we discussed with Dumbacher was a recent claim SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket would fly a decade before SLS. The basis of these questions can be found in oft-quoted statements about SLS and Orion which have been posted on comment boards as definitive, as factual. ![]() We asked Dumbacher point-blank about statements ranging from whether-or-not other launch vehicles could compete with SLS, to if the launch date had slipped and more. ![]() ![]() While some were shown to not be accurate – others had at least a basis in fact. SpaceFlight Insider spoke with NASA’s Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems Development, Dan Dumbacher about some of the most prevalent of these rumors. Statements addressed in the past – can crop up again. With rumors born on the net, things appear to be cyclical. Just because it is easy however – does not mean everyone is doing this and some appear to be taking advantage of viewers desire to be provided with information for their own ends. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla – The internet is a wealth of information about NASA’s new heavy-lift booster, the Space Launch System or “SLS.” Google, Yahoo, Wikipedia – one can find out the statistics, amounts, dates and other data about the launch vehicle very easily. ![]()
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