Is it possible to build the SLS using a private contractor for half the price?
Spending Less Scratch
NASA has turned to the private sector to save its doomed Space Launch System (SLS), which was built to be super-heavy and Moon bound.
NASA has asked Ars Technica to suggest that a single contractor take over production, ownership and operation of the flight hardware. They also propose leasing the system to other contractors.
NASA proposes to remain an anchor tenant for the SLS and fly a crew into orbit once a year with the rocket. NASA has committed to long-term use of the launch system once it is in the hands a contractor.
NASA also suggests that the contractor could produce the rocket for half of the cost or less than the current baseline per flight price, Ars reports. This, while a noble goal, begs the question: Why didn't NASA build a more practical and affordable rocket?
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Expensive Rocket
It is not clear why any private entity would lease or take over production of the rocket. It took over a decade and cost more than 30 billion dollars to build.
It is also a very expensive way to send astronauts to the Moon. Each launch could cost more than $2 billion, according to budget estimates for 2019. NASA has yet to give us a clear answer on how much each launch will cost, or if contractors can lower costs.
The SLS, unlike SpaceX's Starship heavy launch system, is fully expendable. This means that no components will be ever re-used.
Ars points out that this wouldn't be the first NASA attempt to offload a launch vehicle. The United Space Alliance was a single contractor that consolidated Space Shuttle operations in the 1990s.
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NASA is looking for a Hail Mary in order to secure the future of its over-budget and behind-time rocket. Many believe that the industry has moved past expensive and inexpensive rockets.
However, given the agency's relationships and the government's annual budget, it is likely that a contractor will be available sooner than expected.
READ MORE: NASA wants SLS rockets for half the price and will fly them into 2050s [ArsTechnica]
More about the SLS: NASA's Last Rocket Will Be Built
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