Could the SLS reach orbit without solid rocket boosters?












4














Could the SLS block 1 reach orbit without solid rocket boosters, and if so, how much payload could it lift?



If it couldn't reach orbit in the block 1 config, could it do so with the Exploration Upper Stage?



I know the Atlas V and Delta IV can reach orbit with a single liquid first stage engine, so it doesn't seem like there'd be any problem with the SLS, which has 4.






sls







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  • 2




    Follow-up question: could the SLS ever reach orbit with SRBs?
    – leftaroundabout
    3 hours ago






  • 1




    @leftaroundabout Too soon -- literally.
    – Russell Borogove
    3 hours ago
















4














Could the SLS block 1 reach orbit without solid rocket boosters, and if so, how much payload could it lift?



If it couldn't reach orbit in the block 1 config, could it do so with the Exploration Upper Stage?



I know the Atlas V and Delta IV can reach orbit with a single liquid first stage engine, so it doesn't seem like there'd be any problem with the SLS, which has 4.






sls







share|improve this question









New contributor




Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 2




    Follow-up question: could the SLS ever reach orbit with SRBs?
    – leftaroundabout
    3 hours ago






  • 1




    @leftaroundabout Too soon -- literally.
    – Russell Borogove
    3 hours ago














4












4








4







Could the SLS block 1 reach orbit without solid rocket boosters, and if so, how much payload could it lift?



If it couldn't reach orbit in the block 1 config, could it do so with the Exploration Upper Stage?



I know the Atlas V and Delta IV can reach orbit with a single liquid first stage engine, so it doesn't seem like there'd be any problem with the SLS, which has 4.






sls







share|improve this question









New contributor




Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











Could the SLS block 1 reach orbit without solid rocket boosters, and if so, how much payload could it lift?



If it couldn't reach orbit in the block 1 config, could it do so with the Exploration Upper Stage?



I know the Atlas V and Delta IV can reach orbit with a single liquid first stage engine, so it doesn't seem like there'd be any problem with the SLS, which has 4.






sls




sls






share|improve this question









New contributor




Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 3 hours ago









Russell Borogove

83.2k2280360




83.2k2280360






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Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 4 hours ago









Eoin O'Kelly

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New contributor





Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 2




    Follow-up question: could the SLS ever reach orbit with SRBs?
    – leftaroundabout
    3 hours ago






  • 1




    @leftaroundabout Too soon -- literally.
    – Russell Borogove
    3 hours ago














  • 2




    Follow-up question: could the SLS ever reach orbit with SRBs?
    – leftaroundabout
    3 hours ago






  • 1




    @leftaroundabout Too soon -- literally.
    – Russell Borogove
    3 hours ago








2




2




Follow-up question: could the SLS ever reach orbit with SRBs?
– leftaroundabout
3 hours ago




Follow-up question: could the SLS ever reach orbit with SRBs?
– leftaroundabout
3 hours ago




1




1




@leftaroundabout Too soon -- literally.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago




@leftaroundabout Too soon -- literally.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago










1 Answer
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4














Fully fueled, the first stage alone has only an 0.77:1 thrust-to-weight ratio; it can't even get off the ground without help from the boosters.



According to some spreadsheet estimating, I believe that with the ICPS and an underloading of first-stage propellant -- say, 500 tons instead of its usual 894 tons of hydrogen and LOX -- it could get off the ground and reach LEO with 20-23 tons of payload, which is no more than some Atlas V or Delta IV configurations can do. This would be wasteful, since it would be hauling propellant tanks that were nearly half empty at liftoff.



All stages and engines are not created equal; the empty weight of the SLS core stage is four times that of the Atlas V and three times that of the Delta IV cores.






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    Fully fueled, the first stage alone has only an 0.77:1 thrust-to-weight ratio; it can't even get off the ground without help from the boosters.



    According to some spreadsheet estimating, I believe that with the ICPS and an underloading of first-stage propellant -- say, 500 tons instead of its usual 894 tons of hydrogen and LOX -- it could get off the ground and reach LEO with 20-23 tons of payload, which is no more than some Atlas V or Delta IV configurations can do. This would be wasteful, since it would be hauling propellant tanks that were nearly half empty at liftoff.



    All stages and engines are not created equal; the empty weight of the SLS core stage is four times that of the Atlas V and three times that of the Delta IV cores.






    share|improve this answer




























      4














      Fully fueled, the first stage alone has only an 0.77:1 thrust-to-weight ratio; it can't even get off the ground without help from the boosters.



      According to some spreadsheet estimating, I believe that with the ICPS and an underloading of first-stage propellant -- say, 500 tons instead of its usual 894 tons of hydrogen and LOX -- it could get off the ground and reach LEO with 20-23 tons of payload, which is no more than some Atlas V or Delta IV configurations can do. This would be wasteful, since it would be hauling propellant tanks that were nearly half empty at liftoff.



      All stages and engines are not created equal; the empty weight of the SLS core stage is four times that of the Atlas V and three times that of the Delta IV cores.






      share|improve this answer


























        4












        4








        4






        Fully fueled, the first stage alone has only an 0.77:1 thrust-to-weight ratio; it can't even get off the ground without help from the boosters.



        According to some spreadsheet estimating, I believe that with the ICPS and an underloading of first-stage propellant -- say, 500 tons instead of its usual 894 tons of hydrogen and LOX -- it could get off the ground and reach LEO with 20-23 tons of payload, which is no more than some Atlas V or Delta IV configurations can do. This would be wasteful, since it would be hauling propellant tanks that were nearly half empty at liftoff.



        All stages and engines are not created equal; the empty weight of the SLS core stage is four times that of the Atlas V and three times that of the Delta IV cores.






        share|improve this answer














        Fully fueled, the first stage alone has only an 0.77:1 thrust-to-weight ratio; it can't even get off the ground without help from the boosters.



        According to some spreadsheet estimating, I believe that with the ICPS and an underloading of first-stage propellant -- say, 500 tons instead of its usual 894 tons of hydrogen and LOX -- it could get off the ground and reach LEO with 20-23 tons of payload, which is no more than some Atlas V or Delta IV configurations can do. This would be wasteful, since it would be hauling propellant tanks that were nearly half empty at liftoff.



        All stages and engines are not created equal; the empty weight of the SLS core stage is four times that of the Atlas V and three times that of the Delta IV cores.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 3 hours ago

























        answered 3 hours ago









        Russell Borogove

        83.2k2280360




        83.2k2280360






















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