So, you may be asking yourself, why is this post called the SLS is unnecessary? Well, the SLS (Space Launch System) is a huge rocket currently in development by NASA. What is it for? Well, those of you who have been following spaceflight for more than three years may remember the Constellation program, which was supposed to succeed the Space Shuttle, but never got past its first test flight. When Constellation was canceled, the replacement for its LEO functions were given over to commercial enterprises such as SpaceX, while anything past that is scheduled to be handed over to the SLS. Something to note here is that SpaceX in particular has launched two different rocket designs on more than five successful flights while NASA was banging its head against Constellation and the SLS. Why is the SLS unnecessary? SpaceX for one is already developing another rocket as a near-heavy lift vehicle, and if someone would pay them, they could build something equivalent to the SLS, if such a large rocket is even needed. NASA is wasting time and money working on a giant needless rocket; however, if it ever does make it into space, I will be behind it all the way to splashdown, assuming the mission even includes one.
P. S. Today is the fifty-second anniversary of the first human spaceflight, Vostok 1 carrying Yuri Gagarin. Happy Yuri’s night everyone!
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