Cost Effective and Powerful Rocket Booster on Assembly Line

Similar to the solid rocket boosters that helped power the space shuttle to orbit, one of the largest and powerful solid rocket booster built for flight is being assembled for NASA's Space Launch System at ATK Space Systems in Brigham City, Utah.

The five segment SLS boosters include several upgrades and improvements being implemented by NASA and ATK engineers. This new booster will incorporate cost saving measures. It will be built more affordably and efficiently than shuttle boosters, incorporating new and innovative processes and technologies.

"By using the best-of-the-best from shuttle and improving on previous investments, we will produce the needed solid booster for the first SLS flights," said Dan Dumbacher, NASA's deputy associate administrator for Exploration Systems Development at NASA's headquarters in Washington, D.C. "We are encouraged by the progress being made at ATK. Their commitment to deliver a safe and high-quality rocket booster is vital as we build SLS to enable exploration to new frontiers in the solar system."

Implementing new handling processes, ATK estimates the total assembly time for the SLS booster can be reduced by approximately 46 percent overall.

"By improving upon proven Space Shuttle solid rocket motor hardware and operations, our shared goal is to deliver a safe, affordable and sustainable launch vehicle," said Alex Priskos, SLS booster manager at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. "We are embracing innovation both technically and in our management processes as we design and build SLS. Through the use of new streamlined approaches and techniques we have been able to drive down costs and enhance the reliability of the hardware."

According to report, the initial 70-metric-ton (77 ton) configuration of the SLS will provide 10 percent more push than the Saturn V rocket at liftoff. The rocket's first stage will be powered by four RS-25 former space shuttle main engines flanked by two five-segment solid rocket boosters. The SLS solid rocket boosters will generate a combined 7.2 million pounds of thrust to help power the massive rocket off the launch pad.