Main Engine Cut OffPost-EM-1 Mobile Launcher Revamp
Chris Bergin of NASASpaceFlight, with an encyclopedic post about the work that will need to take place—between EM-1 and 2—to revamp the Mobile Launcher to support the Exploration Upper Stage. This bit about the schedule is of interest:
Studies show this to be an effort that will require at least 19 months of work to modify the ML to host the taller rocket. Some engineers involved with the KSC ground systems believe it could take three years, costing around $150 million.
Assuming EM-1 gets off on time at the end of 2018, that puts this work well into the 2020 range. Assuming budgetary issues and technical delays, as are to be expected, 2021 looks tight for an EM-2 launch. I still think we’re looking at 2023 for EM-2. Factor in whatever will happen with Europa Clipper…
No matter how you slice it, the roadmap for NASA’s exploration missions in the the early 2020s is unpredictable. I hope we get some clarification and solidification of plans after the election, but I’ll bet it’s at least another year until we hear anything remotely insightful.