NASA SLS rocket's issues could jeopardize the entire Artemis mission, as revealed by the new Office of Inspector General audit.
In this handout photo provided by NASA, NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher as it rolls out of the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B at NASAs Kennedy Space Center on November 3, 2022 in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
NASA OIG said that the NASA SLS (Space Launch System) is already over six years in schedule delay.
Aside from this, the inspector office of NASA added that the spaceship is $6 billion over budget.
OIG warned that if these problems continue, the Artemis mission could be drastically affected.
NASA SLS Rocket's Over Budget, Schedule Delays
According to Engadget's latest report, the overall expense of NASA for the Artemis Moon Program could reach $93 billion by 2025.
In this handout image provided by NASA, NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop a mobile launcher as the crew access arm is swung into position for rollout to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center on August 16, 2022 in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
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This estimated sum represents the six years delay and the $6 billion over budget.
NASA said it would use 16 RS-25 engines, which were salvaged from the NASA Space Shuttles.
Once these engines run out, the space organization will transition to RS-25E of Aerojet Rocketdyne.
The newer RS-25E is expected to be 30% cheaper and around 11% more efficient. At first, NASA's plan to re-use RS-25 engines sounds like a great idea to save money.
However, the NASA OIG revealed that using older technology isn't helping reduce the SLS rocket's budget.
What Causes the Over Budgeting and Delays?
Via its official audit report, NASA OIG said that interrelated issues cause the delays and over-budget problems.
These include NASA's assumptions that heritage Space Shuttle and Constellation Programs technologies will help save money.
"However, the complexity of developing, updating, and integrating new systems along with heritage components proved to be much greater than anticipated," said OIG.
To help NASA reduce the over-budgeting, OIG shared its suggestions, such as the following:
- Coordinate with the Marshall procurement office to identify procurement needs and resources available under MAP.
- Assess whether the 18 new RS-25 production engines under the RS-25 Restart and Production contract can be adjusted from cost plus to fixed price.
- Update RS-25 production per engine cost estimate to include investment costs in restart facilities, equipment, new production overhead costs, and government-funded property.
These are just some of the suggestions of NASA OIG. You can click here to see more.
As of writing, NASA is also busy with its other space missions.
Recently, the space agency announced its plan to use the U.S. Navy's spinning device, Kraken, for a NASA spaceflight simulation.
We also provided an update regarding the NASA EELS, a robotic snake that will try to find life in space.
For more updates about NASA, keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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