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Replacing SLS With SpaceX Falcon Heavy or New Glenn for Lunar Flyby


Published on 2025-02-07 21:42:19 - NextBigFuture
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  • The NASA Artemis 2 mission would be a manned lunar flyby. It will cost about $5-10 billion with the SLS and Orion systems. A SpaceX Falcon Heavy option with

The article from NextBigFuture discusses the potential replacement of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) with either SpaceX's Falcon Heavy or Blue Origin's New Glenn for a lunar flyby mission. It highlights the cost-effectiveness and higher flight rate capabilities of these commercial rockets compared to the SLS. The SLS, which has been criticized for its high costs and delays, could be substituted by these alternatives to achieve similar mission objectives at a fraction of the cost. The article mentions that Falcon Heavy has already proven its reliability with multiple successful launches, while New Glenn, although not yet flown, promises similar capabilities with its design. This shift could accelerate NASA's Artemis program timelines and reduce the financial burden, allowing for more frequent and potentially more ambitious lunar missions. Additionally, the article touches on the political and industrial implications of such a decision, including job impacts and the future of the SLS program.

Read the Full NextBigFuture Article at:
[ https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2025/02/replacing-sls-with-spacex-falcon-heavy-or-new-glenn-for-lunar-flyby.html ]