The first SLS mobile launcher is leaning
Though NASA says it is not a problem, they have now revealed that the very expensive mobile launcher to be used for the first unmanned SLS launch in 2019, is leaning slightly.
The notes spoke of engineers being concerned about a lean towards the North – which would be towards the rocket when mated – with the angle of the leaning claimed to be seen as increasing when the Vertical Stabilizer porch was installed. It was also claimed the ML Tower is twisting and this issue increased when the porch was installed. This was cited as the reason additional arm installations onto the Tower were placed on hold, until the leaning-twisting issue is understood. Next in line for installation are the ICPS (Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage) Umbilical Arm, the Crew Access Arm and the two Vehicle Stabilizer Arms.
NASASpaceFlight.com’s Philip Sloss took the concerns to NASA to ask for clarifications. NASA responded, saying “the ML leaning/bending was not the cause of the delay in the install of the Crew access arm. These are unrelated.” However, they did expand on the specific issue, mainly to note it is understood and does not currently require any additional mitigation or modification to the ML.
“NASA’s mobile launcher is structurally sound, built to specifications, and does not require a design change or modifications. As expected, the mobile launcher is not perfectly still,” a NASA spokesperson added.
Note that this mobile launcher is not compatible with the second SLS launch, which would be the first manned flight in 2023. NASA will either have to modify it significantly at great costs, or build another, discarding this launcher after only one use.
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In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
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Though NASA says it is not a problem, they have now revealed that the very expensive mobile launcher to be used for the first unmanned SLS launch in 2019, is leaning slightly.
The notes spoke of engineers being concerned about a lean towards the North – which would be towards the rocket when mated – with the angle of the leaning claimed to be seen as increasing when the Vertical Stabilizer porch was installed. It was also claimed the ML Tower is twisting and this issue increased when the porch was installed. This was cited as the reason additional arm installations onto the Tower were placed on hold, until the leaning-twisting issue is understood. Next in line for installation are the ICPS (Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage) Umbilical Arm, the Crew Access Arm and the two Vehicle Stabilizer Arms.
NASASpaceFlight.com’s Philip Sloss took the concerns to NASA to ask for clarifications. NASA responded, saying “the ML leaning/bending was not the cause of the delay in the install of the Crew access arm. These are unrelated.” However, they did expand on the specific issue, mainly to note it is understood and does not currently require any additional mitigation or modification to the ML.
“NASA’s mobile launcher is structurally sound, built to specifications, and does not require a design change or modifications. As expected, the mobile launcher is not perfectly still,” a NASA spokesperson added.
Note that this mobile launcher is not compatible with the second SLS launch, which would be the first manned flight in 2023. NASA will either have to modify it significantly at great costs, or build another, discarding this launcher after only one use.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
The combined cost of the two SLS mobile towers, appears to be more than the cost to SpaceX of developing the Falcon Heavy.
Something is wrong here. We all know it. Will Congress admit it? I doubt it.
I’ll be surprised if it is ever used at all
Is it leaning left or is it leaning right?
That kind of somewhat orbital mechanics is decisive for the political survival of this pretend-to-do-something-jobs program. Or rather maybe the question should be, towards which jobs program state is it leaning?
“Leaning” in any direction means it remains a slave to gravity in any case.
“The combined cost of the two SLS mobile towers, appears to be more than the cost to SpaceX of developing the Falcon Heavy.”
Actually, The combined cost of the two SLS mobile towers, appears to be more than TWICE the cost to SpaceX of developing the Falcon Heavy. ($912 million + $300 million = $1.212 billion, versus “over half a billion dollars” for FH)
A week ago Dick Eagleson wrote that we will know SLS is on the ropes when it become a public laughingstock and the subject of jokes on late night TV. Eric Berger’s “by the numbers” tweet is a step in that direction.
https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/965959950462865408
The A.C. Gilbert Company – maker of world famous Erector Set toys says the error with the tower is due to a failure of not reading the instructions. “Erector Set Toys were designed with a maximum height of 30 inches not 300 feet!” Besides that how do you keep track of all those little nuts an bolts.
However the supplier of Lincoln Logs says that have a low cost replacement almost ready. It can easily handle the 300 foot level and although just a one time fix it’ll burn light a volcano after launch be able to be seen for miles and miles!
Or, we can just let the government do it.
Countdown to the first crewed SLS+Orion launch:
$41 000 000 000
$40 999 999 999
$40 999 999 998
$40 999 999 997
Oops!
Halt the countdown! Restart at:
$43 000 000 000
$42 999 999 999
…
@Ted
Are you making that up to cover up the really ugly truth?
I’m at least glad they renamed it from Ares. This SLS thingy would’ve given Mars a bad name.