NASA SLS Block1

Nasa has completed critical design review (CDR) of its space launch system (SLS) at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, US.

The CDR provides the engineers with final elements of the integrated rocket prior to its full-scale fabrication.

During the 11-week comprehensive assessment process, several Nasa representatives evaluated more than 1,000 data files.

Said to be the most powerful launch vehicle ever built, the SLS will carry crew and cargo on deep space missions, including to an asteroid and Mars.

Nasa Marshall Space Flight Center SLS programme manager Todd May said: "Now that we’ve completed our review, we will brief Nasa leadership, along with the independent review team, about the results and readiness to proceed to the next phase.

"Now that we’ve completed our review, we will brief Nasa leadership about the results and readiness to proceed to the next phase."

"After that step is complete, we’ll move on to design certification."

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The latest CDR was carried out on the SLS Block 1, the first of three configurations planned for SLS. Block 1 will feature twin solid rocket boosters, powerful engines, flight computers, avionics, and a 200ft core stage.

The 322ft-long vehicle will be designed to provide 8.4 million pounds of thrust at liftoff, and carry 70 metric tonnes of payload.

Called Exploration Mission-1, the SLS’s first mission will launch an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to evaluate the capabilities of the integrated system.

A standing review board comprising experts from Nasa and the industry will assess readiness of the programme and ensure it remains on-track to meet the schedules.

Later this year, Nasa plans to carry out similar reviews for the Orion programme at Johnson Space Center in Houston and Kennedy Space Center in Florida, US.

Image: An Artistic concept of the SLS Block 1 configuration. Photo: courtesy of Nasa / MSFC.