/sci/ - Science & Math

basically, an SLS block primer:

SLS Block 1 is happening. they're currently putting together the first one. core stage should ship off to stennis for the green run pretty soon - before the end of the year if boeing can manage to not fuck up for once

SLS Block 1b is in a good spot. Trump (probably actually Pence tbb) went totally back on his "let's defund the EUS" position when they decided to ask for a moon landing, and there was never really any question that congress would fund it either way. it has been intentionally held back so it could be optimized for lunar TLI, and NASA isn't sure whether they want to fly it on Artemis 3 or Artemis 4 first. either way, they have a backup ICPS if Boeing shits the bed again. expect to see EUS on Artemis 3 as long as the project seems to be going smoothly. if there's any delays, expect it to get pushed back to Artemis 4.

SLS Block 2 is not a "paper rocket-y" as some say, but it's also not a guarantee. NGIS wants to get a contract with NASA for some improved SRBs that are OmegA-derived (and the OmegA SRBs themselves are derived from the "Dark Knights" proposed for the SLS way back in the day when Block 1A was a thing), but if Block 2 happens, it'll be a long time from now. If the SLS is flying continuously though, Block 2 HAS to happen eventually - they've only got 8 mission's worth of old shuttle SRB casings. So if the SLS is still flying a decade from now, it WILL be Block 2.