Comments on: Congress frees Europa Clipper from SLS

By: Richard M

Richard M — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 04:37:57 +0000

Sadly, I don’t think Congress did this to save money. They refer explicitly in the legislative text to reports of torsional loading problems for Europa Clipper on the SLS as payload (from the solid rockets, apparently), and apparently NASA has reported to them that it’s a serious problem.

Either way, a decision for a launcher has to be made *now*, as JPL and NASA complete the CDR, so Congress could not put off any change to the requirement any longer. So hopefully we will hear from NASA in the coming weeks that they’ve formally decided to launch Clipper on a Falcon Heavy.

By: Diane Wilson

Diane Wilson — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 22:02:09 +0000

It doesn’t really look like freeing Clipper from SLS, since it depends on SLS being available. Space vehicles, especially those for deep space, have to be designed with the launch vehicle in mind; it affects weight limits, dimensions, fuel load for maneuvering, orbital mechanics in terms of flight duration and possible gravity assists closer to the sun, and probably much more. If SLS is available, it can provide a shorter and more direct path to Europa than any other rocket currently in service.

The break with SLS needs to be explicit. Now.

By: Scott M.

Scott M. — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 21:07:48 +0000

At least one good bit of news in the New Year!