SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM AND THE MULTI-PURPOSE CREW VEHICLE
On 11 October 2011, the Constellation Program was officially ended and the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 was signed into law. Sections 302 and 303 of the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 provides direction to NASA to develop the Space Launch System (SLS) and a Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV). These sections of the act are show below:
SEC. 302. SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM AS FOLLOW-ON LAUNCH VEHICLE TO
THE SPACE SHUTTLE.
(a) UNITED STATES POLICY.−It is the policy of the United States that NASA
develop a Space Launch System as a follow-on to the Space Shuttle that can
access cis-lunar space and the regions of space beyond low-Earth orbit in order
to enable the United States to participate in global efforts to access and
develop this increasingly strategic region.
(b) INITIATION OF DEVELOPMENT.− 42 USC 18322.
(1) IN GENERAL.−The Administrator shall, as soon as
practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, initiate development of
a Space Launch System meeting the minimum capabilities requirements specified in
subsection (c).
(2) MODIFICATION OF CURRENT CONTRACTS.−In order to limit
NASA’s termination liability costs and support critical capabilities, the
Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, extend or modify existing
vehicle development and associated contracts necessary to meet the
requirements in paragraph (1), including contracts for ground testing of solid
rocket motors, if necessary, to ensure their availability for development of the
Space Launch System.
(c) MINIMUM CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS.−
(1) IN GENERAL.−The Space Launch System developed pursuant to
subsection (b) shall be designed to have, at a minimum, the following:
(A) The initial capability of the
core elements, without an upper stage, of lifting payloads weighing between 70
tons and 100 tons into low-Earth orbit in preparation for transit for missions
beyond low-Earth orbit.
(B) The capability to carry an
integrated upper Earth departure stage bringing the total lift capability of the
Space Launch System to 130 tons or more.
(C) The capability to lift the
multipurpose crew vehicle.
(D) The capability to serve as a
backup system for supplying and supporting ISS cargo requirements or crew
delivery requirements not otherwise met by available commercial or
partner-supplied vehicles.
(2) FLEXIBILITY.−The Space Launch System shall be designed
from inception as a fully-integrated vehicle capable of carrying a total
payload of 130 tons or more into low-Earth orbit in preparation for transit for
missions beyond low-Earth orbit. The Space Launch System shall, to the
extent practicable, incorporate capabilities for evolutionary growth to carry
heavier payloads. Developmental work and testing of the core elements and
the upper stage should proceed in parallel subject to appropriations. Priority
should be placed on the core elements with the goal for operational
capability for the core elements not later than December 31, 2016.
(3) TRANSITION NEEDS.−The Administrator shall ensure critical
skills and capabilities are retained, modified, and developed, as appropriate,
in areas related to solid and liquid engines, large diameter fuel tanks, rocket
propulsion, and other ground test capabilities for an effective transition to
the followon Space Launch System.
(4) The capacity for efficient and timely evolution,
including the incorporation of new technologies, competition of sub-elements,
and commercial operations.
SEC. 303. MULTI-PURPOSE CREW VEHICLE.
(a) INITIATION OF DEVELOPMENT.−
(1) IN GENERAL.−The Administrator shall continue the
development of a multi-purpose crew vehicle to be available as soon as
practicable, and no later than for use with the Space Launch System. The vehicle
shall continue to advance development of the human safety features, designs, and
systems in the Orion project.
(2) GOAL FOR OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY.−It shall be the goal to
achieve full operational capability for the transportation vehicle developed
pursuant to this subsection by not later than December 31, 2016. For purposes of
meeting such goal, the Administrator may undertake a test of the transportation
vehicle at the ISS before that date.
(b) MINIMUM CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS.−The multi-purpose crew vehicle developed
pursuant to subsection (a) shall be designed to have, at a minimum, the
following:
(1) The capability to serve as the primary crew vehicle for
missions beyond low-Earth orbit.
(2) The capability to conduct regular in-space operations,
such as rendezvous, docking, and extra-vehicular activities, in conjunction with
payloads delivered by the Space Launch System developed pursuant to section 302,
or other vehicles, in preparation for missions beyond low-Earth orbit or
servicing of assets described in section 804, or other assets in cis-lunar
space.
(3) The capability to provide an alternative means of
delivery of crew and cargo to the ISS, in the event other vehicles, whether
commercial vehicles or partner-supplied vehicles, are unable to perform that
function.
(4) The capacity for efficient and timely evolution,
including the incorporation of new technologies, competition of sub-elements,
and commercial operations.
The Space Launch System is the follow-on replacement for the Space Shuttle which was retired in 2011. The goals are to go beyond the ability to send crews into low earth orbit and aim for a return to the moon, near Earth asteroids, La Grange points, and ultimately to Mars. The Orion MPCV (built upon the Orion being developed for the former Constellation Program) will provide the crew vehicle for these destinations.
On 14 May 2019, the Artemis Program was born. The Orion and SLS became integrated with Artemis.
Page last modified: 19 October 2021 20:53:44.
