Posted on 03/29/2017 7:38:36 AM PDT by BenLurkin
The newly developed engine controller is a modern version from the RS-25 controller that helped propel all 135 space shuttle missions to space.
...
“The controller manages the engine by regulating the thrust and fuel mixture ratio and monitors the engine’s health and status – much like the computer in your car,” say NASA officials.
“The controller then communicates the performance specifications programmed into the controller and monitors engine conditions to ensure they are being met, controlling such factors as propellant mixture ratio and thrust level.”
A quartet of RS-25 engines, leftover from the space shuttle era and repeatedly reused, will be installed at the base of the core stage to power the SLS at liftoff, along with a pair of extended solid rocket boosters.
The four RS-25 core stage engine will provide a combined 2 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.
In addition to being commanded by the new engine controller, the engines are being upgraded in multiple ways for SLS. For example they will operate at a higher thrust level and under different operating conditions compared to shuttle times.
To achieve the higher thrust level required, the RS-25 engines must fire at 109 percent of capability for SLS compared to operating at 104.5 percent of power level capability for shuttle flights.
The RS-25 engines “also will operate with colder liquid oxygen and engine compartment temperatures, higher propellant pressure and greater exhaust nozzle heating.” SLS will be the world’s most powerful rocket and send astronauts on journeys into deep space, further than human have ever travelled before.
For SLS-1 the mammoth booster will launch in its initial 70-metric-ton (77-ton) Block 1 configuration with a liftoff thrust of 8.4 million pounds – more powerful than NASA’s Saturn V moon landing rocket.
(Excerpt) Read more at universetoday.com ...
What could possibly go wrong?
Burning logs inside your cave? What could possibly go wrong ...
Why not make an engine 9% more powerful?
I admit it. I don’t share your confidence in these rocket scientists.
#2 NASA is forced to add 15% ethanol to the fuel to make it green and also so Archer Daniels keeps paying big bucks to midwest congressman.... : )
As long as they don’t use any Freon in any of the insulations and adhesives everything will be OK or not.
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