6 ms·
The SRBs don't just impose higher operational complexity, but also far higher acoustic load that requires much higher structural strength and therefore weight o
by bfe 13y ago
The SRBs don't just impose higher operational complexity, but also far higher acoustic load that requires much higher structural strength and therefore weight on everything else.
- InclinedPlane 13y agoThey also complicate the range safety situation and make on-pad aborts after they've been lit impossible. Once they've been lit you're going wherever they're going, whether you like it or not.
- FrojoS 13y agoYet, NASA plans to use them on the new Space Launch System (SLS). Lobbyism?
- cdash 13y agoPretty much, yes. They want to keep the people making those engines employed. I think there might be some talk about eventually going to a renewed F-1 engine with a much reduced complexity and greater thrust than the original. There is a reason why the SLS is also known as the Senate Launch System.
- rbanffy 13y ago> They want to keep the people making those engines employed. It's more like wanting the companies that make them more profitable by requiring no retooling. I don't buy the "it's about the workers" thing.