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







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














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






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.









asked 4 hours ago









Eoin O'Kelly

211




211




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.





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
1






active

oldest

votes


















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























    Your Answer





    StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function () {
    return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function () {
    StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix) {
    StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["$", "$"], ["\\(","\\)"]]);
    });
    });
    }, "mathjax-editing");

    StackExchange.ready(function() {
    var channelOptions = {
    tags: "".split(" "),
    id: "508"
    };
    initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

    StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
    // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
    if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
    StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
    createEditor();
    });
    }
    else {
    createEditor();
    }
    });

    function createEditor() {
    StackExchange.prepareEditor({
    heartbeatType: 'answer',
    autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
    convertImagesToLinks: false,
    noModals: true,
    showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
    reputationToPostImages: null,
    bindNavPrevention: true,
    postfix: "",
    imageUploader: {
    brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
    contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
    allowUrls: true
    },
    noCode: true, onDemand: true,
    discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
    ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
    });


    }
    });






    Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










    draft saved

    draft discarded


















    StackExchange.ready(
    function () {
    StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fspace.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f33330%2fcould-the-sls-reach-orbit-without-solid-rocket-boosters%23new-answer', 'question_page');
    }
    );

    Post as a guest















    Required, but never shown

























    1 Answer
    1






    active

    oldest

    votes








    1 Answer
    1






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    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














      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






















            Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










            draft saved

            draft discarded


















            Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.













            Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.












            Eoin O'Kelly is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
















            Thanks for contributing an answer to Space Exploration Stack Exchange!


            • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

            But avoid …



            • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

            • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


            Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.


            To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.





            Some of your past answers have not been well-received, and you're in danger of being blocked from answering.


            Please pay close attention to the following guidance:


            • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

            But avoid …



            • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

            • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


            To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




            draft saved


            draft discarded














            StackExchange.ready(
            function () {
            StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fspace.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f33330%2fcould-the-sls-reach-orbit-without-solid-rocket-boosters%23new-answer', 'question_page');
            }
            );

            Post as a guest















            Required, but never shown





















































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown

































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown







            -

            Popular posts from this blog

            Eastern Orthodox Church

            Image
            Not to be confused with Oriental Orthodoxy, Eastern Christianity, or Eastern Catholic Churches. "Eastern Orthodoxy", "Orthodox Church", "Orthodox Catholic Church", and "Orthodox Christian Church" redirect here. For other uses, see Orthodox (disambiguation). This article may be too long to read and navigate comfortably . The readable prose size is 132 kilobytes. Please consider splitting content into sub-articles, condensing it, or adding or removing subheadings. ( January 2018 ) Part of a series on the Eastern Orthodox Church Mosaic of Christ Pantocrator, Hagia Sophia Overview Structure Theology (History of theology) Liturgy Church history Holy Mysteries View of salvation View of Mary View of icons Background Crucifixion / Resurrection / Ascension of Jesus Christianity Christian Church Apostolic succession Four Marks of the Church Orthodoxy Organization Autocephaly Patriarchate ...
            Read more

            Zagreb

            Image
            This article is about the Croatian capital city. For other uses, see Zagreb (disambiguation). City in City of Zagreb, Croatia Zagreb City Grad Zagreb City of Zagreb Clockwise, from top: St. Mark's Square, Croatian State Archives, Zagreb Tram, Art Pavilion, Cibona & HOTO towers and Croatian National Theatre. Flag Coat of arms Zagreb Location of Zagreb in Croatia Show map of Croatia Zagreb Zagreb (Europe) Show map of Europe Coordinates: 45°49′N 15°59′E  /  45.817°N 15.983°E  / 45.817; 15.983 Coordinates: 45°49′N 15°59′E  /  45.817°N 15.983°E  / 45.817; 15.983 Country   Croatia County City of Zagreb RC diocese 1094 Free royal city 1242 Unified 1850 Subdivisions 17 city districts 218 local committees (70 settlements) Government  • Type Mayor-Council  • Mayor Milan Bandić (BM 365)  • City Assembly 51 members BM 365, ZL, NS-R (14) SDP, GLAS, HNS, HSS, NH-PS (13) ...
            Read more

            Understanding the information contained in the Deep Space Network XML data?

            Image
            up vote 1 down vote favorite NASA's Deep Space Network activity can be viewed conveniently at https://eyes.nasa.gov/dsn/dsn.html but if you would like data in a more raw XML form, it can be accessed as described in this answer Below is a small Python script that reads the XML into a list of dictionaries, and saves it to disk as a JSON. The dictionaries are organized at the higher level by dish, then by spacecraft per dish. Question: What are the most-likely meanings of all the data field contained in the Deep Space Network XML data? This is the example url from the other answer, used in the script below: https://eyes.nasa.gov/dsn/data/1365107113.xml def dictify(r,root=True): # https://stackoverflow.com/questions/2148119/how-to-convert-an-xml-string-to-a-dictionary-in-python/30923963#30923963 if root: ret...
            Read more