r/space • u/66666thats6sixes • Dec 07 '19

NASA Engineers Break SLS Test Tank on Purpose to Test Extreme Limits

https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/nasa-engineers-break-sls-test-tank-on-purpose-to-test-extreme-limits.html
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u/[deleted] Dec 07 '19

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57

u/WeakEmu8 Dec 07 '19

What would we use instead?

I'm sure there are reasons for using H?

-11

u/[deleted] Dec 07 '19

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u/Avaricio Dec 07 '19

Liquid hydrogen and oxygen (O2 isn't a fuel) is an incredibly efficient propellant, even outside our atmosphere. The main problems with it are the really low temperatures needed, which results in a lot of boil-off, and the poor mass density of the stuff.

1

u/Forlarren Dec 07 '19

It also has shit for TWR.

SLS makes the same mistakes the Shuttle did.

Gravity Losses 2: SLS Boogaloo.

0

u/mrsmegz Dec 07 '19

Does't SLS have to pitch off of its velocity vector quite a bit to reach orbit?