Updates SLS Updates

[N_Molson]

I have heard them talk of solid rocket boosters on Soyuz...

Wow...

 

[Urwumpe]

I have heard them talk of solid rocket boosters on Soyuz...

Well, many solid rocket motors exist there....

 

[Arvil]

OK, what next? If Artemis doesn't launch soon, the SRB's expire and they'll need to reevaluate them to see if they're still flight capable.

https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-1-moon-rocket-boosters-expire-december

 

[Urwumpe]

OK, what next? If Artemis doesn't launch soon, the SRB's expire and they'll need to reevaluate them to see if they're still flight capable.

https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-1-moon-rocket-boosters-expire-december

Assuming that the rocket gets not damaged during Nichole and has to be written off.

 

[Notebook]

Watch live: NASA’s moon rocket riding out Hurricane Nicole on the launch pad – Spaceflight Now

It was in the top left. Maybe it doesn't like getting wet and launched itself?

 

[GLS]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1590603433110740992

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1590620457392549889

 

[Urwumpe]

The SLS gets quite some beating this night, I doubt it will be without damage.

 

[GLS]

The SLS gets quite some beating this night, I doubt it will be without damage.

Who would have thought that an exposed rocket on the pad, during a hurricane/tropical storm/whatever is not the best of ideas...

 

[Max-Q]

The SLS gets quite some beating this night, I doubt it will be without damage.

I'd guess insulation foam damage and maybe some water intrusion. Remember, this thing is designed for the dynamic pressures you'd get during ascent. Granted, it's different, but structural strength is structural strength.
BUT... why does this remind me of the (unrealistic) windstorm in "The Martian"?
And they ended up launching the MAV in that storm...

Who would have thought that an exposed rocket on the pad, during a hurricane/tropical storm/whatever is not the best of ideas...

I guess they weighed the risks of WX damage over structural issues from vibration and stresses during rollback.
Every time something happens with this beast, it feels like it gets a bit more fragile. I hope they launch it before it falls apart!

 

[Urwumpe]

Who would have thought that an exposed rocket on the pad, during a hurricane/tropical storm/whatever is not the best of ideas...

Well, a safe rollback was not possible that quickly. KSC went into HURRCON III on Tuesday.

 

[Urwumpe]

I'd guess insulation foam damage and maybe some water intrusion. Remember, this thing is designed for the dynamic pressures you'd get during ascent. Granted, it's different, but structural strength is structural strength.

The problem is, a rocket is designed for taking strong dynamic pressures nose first, while it still is a long hollow tin can for any load from the sides. And its a huge sail area, all that forces acting dynamically on the hold down posts and bolts. I doubt it will topple at such forces, but I am pretty sure, some structures will collect fractures.

 

[Max-Q]

Exactly. But boosters are designed to handle side loads form upper-air winds.
However, I wasn't thinking about the hold-down bolts...
I wonder if they could have partially pressurized the core stage with nitrogen to give it more side-load strength?

 

[Urwumpe]

Exactly. But boosters are designed to handle side loads form upper-air winds.
However, I wasn't thinking about the hold-down bolts...
I wonder if they could have partially pressurized the core stage with nitrogen to give it more side-load strength?

The core stage should be at pretty low pressure even at flight pressure. Not sure if this really makes a change.

Also, these are segmented SRBs, which can deform quite a lot by bending loads.

Flexibility is pretty good in this case, since it prevents most kinds of damage, but you can't make everything flexible on a rocket.

 

[Max-Q]

The core stage should be at pretty low pressure even at flight pressure. Not sure if this really makes a change.

Yeah, true. Just a crazy idea originating from the stuff I've read about the Mercury-Atlas that could collapse under it's own weight.

Also, these are segmented SRBs, which can deform quite a lot by bending loads.

Flexibility is pretty good in this case, since it prevents most kinds of damage, but you can't make everything flexible on a rocket.

Like that insulation foam?

Just checked the WX at the shuttle landing facility:
Wind 29 gusting 49 knots; Heavy rain
At least the wind isn't too bad right now...

 

[GLS]

Yeah, true. Just a crazy idea originating from the stuff I've read about the Mercury-Atlas that could collapse under it's own weight.

 

[Max-Q]

Exactly!
Good thing SLS isn't that fragile or it'd be literally shredded and spread across 3 states by now!

 

[GLS]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1590647419565658112

 

[GLS]

Whether the limit is 74.4 or 85 knots, it has been exceeded...

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1590669297705066496

 

[GLS]

Still there and still pointing up.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1590698732026462208

 

[jarmonik]

Rough night for SLS, looks like it's gonna pass unscheduled level 1 hurricane test, hopefully unharmed