The next generation's Apollo: Final preps ahead of historic launch
Friday afternoon crews working on the Space Launch System rocket put the rocket one step closer to its final flight configuration. This critical test of all new hardware could send humans back to the moon for the first time in over 50 years.
SLS is the most powerful rocket to ever take flight from the US. The rocket will carry the Orion Space Capsule to the moon ushering this generation’s moon shot, known as Artemis. This launch, Artemis I will be un-crewed but will test all the systems setting the stage for astronauts to ride on Artemis II.
This project started a decade ago. Each launch will an estimated $4.1 billion. University of Iowa Professor Casey DeRoo says it is a financial benefit that can pay for itself based on previous investments.
"The basic functions of our day-to-day life are directly born out of technologies that were developed out of our nation’s investment into space exploration," DeRoo said.
Modern technology like GPS, the internet, satellite communications and medical advancements like easier treatments for dialysis all stem from the Apollo era. This 21st century moon rocket uses tested hardware like the engines from the Space Shuttle, but the rocket configuration is entirely new.
"There's a lot of history that's built into this, so it's a maturation, a system that has developed over time," said Tony Byers, Deputy Program Manager of Orion at contractor Lockheed Martin. "It's a system that has evolved over time. But far more capable, it's designed to go to the moon, and Mars, and beyond."
Byers has worked on this program since its inception. While the rocket is new, the capsule that astronauts will ride in was tested before. In 2014 it took a ride into low-Earth orbit on a test flight. This launch will test Orion in whole new ways.
"It is a different system test, but it's still a system test so there's a lot of new things that are on the spacecraft that wasn't on the 2014 test," Byers said. "As far as jitters you know anytime you've got a full-up system test and everything's integrated for the first time, you know there's a there's always that excitement and that nervousness."
While getting astronauts to the moon will be another very large step for mankind, the scientific benefit this new launcher provides excites those in the scientific community developing projects to better life on Earth, despite its large cost.
"It’s a small drop in the bucket," DeRoo says. "The total NASA budget is about one half, of every penny that you spend on tax dollars. Total. That’s everything. That’s James Webb, that’s manned spaceflight, that’s science, that’s outreach that’s inspiring the next generation of scientists. For that money, we get an incredible return on investment."
The launch is set for 7:33 a.m. CDT Monday Aug. 29. If there is a delay due to a problem during pre-launch checks, or weather, the next attempt will be Friday Sept. 2.
