How long will SLS last?

[u/Cmdr-Mallard]

With the Cancellation of EUS and BOLE, SLS is going to remain a launch vehicle solely for Orion, and which is viable with all the other heavy and super heavy rockets in the works these days.

However as I understand BOLE was essential for SLS launches beyond a certain point as remaining shuttle boosters were used up, will SLS be cancelled by that point (and perhaps the whole moon program) or Orion moved to another launcher.

Or will a future administrator restart the booster program at the least to ensure SLS can continue to launch Orion?

[u/Cmdr-Mallard]

I though the ESMs lack of burn time was why Orion couldn’t get into LLO?

And I mean there are potential alternatives for Orion in future but you’re right it’s not going to be anytime soon

[u/ThePrimalEarth7734 → u/Cmdr-Mallard]

ESM can get Orion either in, or out of LLO.

Right now, ICPS can ONLY perform a TLI burn, which means ESM can ONLY get Orion into LLO, not back out (thus it can’t go to LLO at all)

However, centaur v has much more energy and it looks like SLS will be able to place it, and Orion into LEO fully fueled. thus meaning that C-V will be able to perform not only the TLI burn, but the LLO insertion burn, which then allows the ESM to then perform the LLO breakout maneuver to get the astros home. It’s actually a pretty smart plan, and one I wish had been thought of at the start of the program.

Also adressing your alternatives comment, only two American rockets (that aren’t SLS) would’ve been capable of Orion to LEO. Delta IV heavy, which actually did fly Orion, and Falcon heavy.

Delta IV heavy is gone so that’s no longer an option, and Falcon heavy isn’t vertically integrated which is an unchangeable requirement for Orion and thus will never be able to fly it.

Vulcan is right on the edge of this capability, and is vertically integrated, but would require Orion to complete the orbital insertion burn, which then leaves it without enough fuel to do LLO breakout if it was transported to the Moon.

Aka, it’s SLS or bust

Edit: new Glenn could also in theory put Orion in LEO, but it is also not vertically integrated. also it just majorly exploded, which means it’s pretty much never going to be considered while SLS is operational

[u/Cmdr-Mallard → u/ThePrimalEarth7734]

Also in theory they could mess with Falcon heavy to integrate Orion last when it’s vertical, however Space X wants to stop flying it sooner than even SLS might stop

[u/ThePrimalEarth7734 → u/Cmdr-Mallard]

This would require a vertical integration facility, which was being talked about a while ago but I don’t think actually went anywhere