Washington, D.C. - NASA has finally announced their plans for the next step in manned space flight.
The Space Launch System, or SLS, was unveiled by lawmakers Wednesday morning in Washington. The $35 billion project is described as a "a safe, affordable and sustainable means of reaching beyond our current limits and opening up new discoveries from the unique vantage point of space."
The Associated Press has learned it will carry astronauts in a capsule on top and start test launching in six years.
The liquid-fueled rocket will be able to carry 77 to 110 tons into space initially. Later it will be able to haul 143 tons. The Saturn V that sent men to the moon could lift 130 tons.
The project has the support of the White House, and members of both parties in the Capitol.
"This launch system will create good-paying American jobs, ensure continued U.S. leadership in space, and inspire millions around the world," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "President Obama challenged us to be bold and dream big, and that's exactly what we are doing at NASA. While I was proud to fly on the space shuttle, tomorrow's explorers will now dream of one day walking on Mars."
"Having settled on a new and powerful heavy-lift launch architecture, NASA can now move ahead with building that rocket and the next-generation vehicles and technologies needed for an ambitious program of crewed missions in deep space," said John P. Holdren, assistant to the President for Science and Technology. "I'm excited about NASA's new path forward and about its promise for continuing American leadership in human space exploration."
The SLS will carry human crews beyond low Earth orbit in a capsule named the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. The rocket will use a liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen fuel system, where RS-25D/E engines will provide the core propulsion and the J2X engine is planned for use in the upper stage. There will be a competition to develop the boosters based on performance requirements.
The decision to go with the same fuel system for the core and the upper stage was based on a NASA analysis demonstrating that use of common components can reduce costs and increase flexibility. The heavy-lift rocket's early flights will be capable of lifting 70-100 metric tons before evolving to a lift capacity of 130 metric tons.
The early developmental flights may take advantage of existing solid boosters and other existing hardware. These flights will enable NASA to reduce developmental risk, drive innovation within the agency and private industry, and accomplish early exploration objectives.
"NASA has been making steady progress toward realizing the President's goal of deep space exploration, while doing so in a more affordable way," NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver said. "We have been driving down the costs on the Space Launch System and Orion contracts by adopting new ways of doing business and project hundreds of millions of dollars of savings each year."
NASA and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
