Can you what is going on in the minds of Bill Nelson and staff right now Sunday night? With a very serious and threatening hurricane heading towards the Cape, how is NASA evening thinking about maintaining the schedule for September 27th or October 2nd launch of SLS?
Let's look at the current situation: If they try to launch either of those days, assuming there are no more hydrogen leaks or damage from the winds, wouldn't there be other problems and violations to the normally conservative approach by NASA of a GO status? What is going on?
Is NASA afraid of more hydrogen leaks just by moving the rocket to the VAB and back to the pad? There may be a couple of things that NASA is not saying at this point but I don't want to be in the shoes of Bill Nelson right now. So what are people thinking right now?
Here are 3 scenarios:
1. SLS launches now or in November without a hitch and 40 day operation is completely successful, NASA will have another rocket out maybe in a year using countless billions of dollars more on an even further antiquated system.
2. SLS is continually delayed (into next year) due to repeated delays of various types. Wouldn't parts of the rocket need replacement? Hasn't the rocket been sitting out there for almost a year?
3. If SLS launches and there is ANY kind of failure (let alone any serious damage or loss of life), can you imagine the futures delays and redesign of of a 50 year old system? This would cause some decision makers to make a final choice once and for all.
Let's look at the current situation: If they try to launch either of those days, assuming there are no more hydrogen leaks or damage from the winds, wouldn't there be other problems and violations to the normally conservative approach by NASA of a GO status? What is going on?
Is NASA afraid of more hydrogen leaks just by moving the rocket to the VAB and back to the pad? There may be a couple of things that NASA is not saying at this point but I don't want to be in the shoes of Bill Nelson right now. So what are people thinking right now?
Here are 3 scenarios:
1. SLS launches now or in November without a hitch and 40 day operation is completely successful, NASA will have another rocket out maybe in a year using countless billions of dollars more on an even further antiquated system.
2. SLS is continually delayed (into next year) due to repeated delays of various types. Wouldn't parts of the rocket need replacement? Hasn't the rocket been sitting out there for almost a year?
3. If SLS launches and there is ANY kind of failure (let alone any serious damage or loss of life), can you imagine the futures delays and redesign of of a 50 year old system? This would cause some decision makers to make a final choice once and for all.
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