Huntsville, AL-A former rocket scientist is sharing his opinion about the new Space Launch System.
Retired NASA engineer Homer Hickam tells WAAY 31 the new Space Launch System or SLS is something Huntsville and the Tennessee valley should be excited about. "My focus is for the folks out at Marshall Space Flight Center is that they have proper and good and long term work to do and I am hoping this rocket will allow them to do that” Hickam said.
During his years at NASA, Hickam worked on spacecraft design and astronaut training. He specialized in science payloads and extra vehicle activities. He also trained crews for space shuttle and space lab missions. While he is excited about the big news, Hickam does have some concerns. "But what I am concerned about is what mission does it have. If we build it we need a plan to use it. I am hoping the next thing we hear is
how the SLS will be used" he said.
The retired engineer says he is hoping NASA uses the SLS heavy lift rocket to go to the moon. He hopes NASA will build a moon base to launch deep space operations.
