April Webinar RegistrationApril Webinar Registration


Massive Rocket's Anticlimactic Test Adds Pressure On Boeing Space Programs

NASA cut short a test of the core stage of Boeing's (BA) massive Space Launch System rocket on Saturday, leaving its future deep-space missions in flux. But Boeing made progress on Starliner, its commercial crew capsule that fell short in a major test in 2019. 

X

The so-called hot fire, which took place at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, was meant to be the last of eight "Green Run" tests needed to ensure that the core stage of the SLS rocket is ready for launch.

With the core stage anchored vertically on a platform, the test began at about 5:27 p.m. ET and ran for just over one minute, well short of the scheduled time of eight minutes.

All the engines shut down safely, and NASA still obtained some data from the test, but far less than hoped. On Tuesday, Boeing Space Launch System manager John Shannon said the test would have to run for at least 250 seconds to get the necessary data.

Prior to the early shutdown, NASA was able to power up all the core stage systems, load more than 700,000 gallons of supercold propellant into the tanks, and fire all four engines at the same time to simulate a launch.

On Tuesday, NASA said the rocket's hardware remains in good condition and attributed the early shutdown to "test parameters that were intentionally conservative to ensure the safety of the core stage."

Specifically, a hydraulic system on one of the four Aerojet Rocketdyne (AJRD) engines exceeded the pre-set test limits, causing flight computers to automatically end the test. But if it occurred during flight and not a static test fire, NASA said the rocket would've continued to fly.

Following the hot-fire test, NASA was supposed to ship the Space Launch System core stage to Kennedy Space Center in Florida next month for assembly with Lockheed Martin's (LMT) Orion spacecraft. But that timeline now looks doubtful.

At a press briefing Saturday, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said it's too soon to tell if another hot fire will be necessary. When asked if a launch of the full Space Launch System rocket is feasible later this year, he said it's too early to say.

If another hot fire is needed, the engines would need 21-30 days to reset, said John Honeycutt, who is NASA's SLS program manager. He added that he doesn't anticipate any significant design changes to the core stage.

The rocket is designed to be the most powerful ever built and consists of a massive core stage with four engines as well as two smaller external boosters made by Northrop Grumman (NOC).

It is key to NASA's plan to return astronauts to the moon and embark on other deep-space missions, including to Mars and beyond. 

Boeing stock closed up 3.1% at 210.71 on the stock market today as the 737 Max commercial jet gets clearance to return to service in more markets, but hit resistance at the 50-day average, according to MarketSmith chart analysis. Aerojet Rocketdyne, which is being acquired by Lockheed, rose 0.7%, and Lockheed stock lost 1.7%.


IBD Live: A New Tool For Daily Stock Market Analysis


Starliner Eyes Redo

While NASA's update suggested a less serious issue, Boeing is still under the gun to deliver on the massive project.

"Pressure has been building on Boeing for a while," Laura Forczyk, founder of space consulting firm Astralytical, told IBD. "SLS is significantly delayed and overbudget. The SLS green run test, while a partial success, does not instill confidence that the rocket will be ready soon. All Artemis target dates will slip."

As the deep-space rocket faces another potential delay, Boeing has grappled with setbacks on a separate NASA contract to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

But on Monday, Boeing said it completed the formal requalification of the software on the Starliner, paving the way for an uncrewed launch in March. Boeing said it "conducted a full review of Starliner's flight software and the process by which mission modifications or upgrades will be formally qualified in the future."

The Boeing Starliner failed to reach its proper orbit during its December 2019 test and wasn't able to dock with the ISS because of a software error. Another software issue was also found with the thrusters that could have lead to a catastrophic spacecraft failure.

Boeing still has to run an end-to-end simulation of the test flight, which it failed to do in the December 2019 test, and plans to launch its second uncrewed test mission no earlier than March.

Meanwhile, SpaceX's Crew Dragon successfully completed its first crewed test flight in May and has since launched an operational mission to the ISS.


Looking For The Next Big Stock Market Winners? Start With These 3 Steps


Delays Plague Space Launch System

A successful Starliner test would come at a critical time for Boeing, which has seen repeated delays and cost overruns in the Space Launch System while also getting shut out of NASA's effort to develop a lunar lander.

Saturday's hot fire test was originally scheduled for November but was delayed due to a fueling issue found in a prior test. And that's just the part of the issues with the Space Launch System.

The first SLS rocket was originally supposed to be ready to launch by 2016. NASA may now need to redo its schedule again. Before the hot-fire test, the first flight, or Artemis I, was due in November 2021. Artemis II was due in 2023 and will be the first crewed flight, taking astronauts to lunar orbit. Then Artemis III was supposed to land astronauts on the moon by 2024 under the Trump administration's timeline.

But Congress hasn't approved enough funding to accomplish a moon landing by then. And the incoming Biden administration hasn't committed to the 2024 goal, which will likely slip.

The program has come under increasing scrutiny as costs pile up. A NASA inspector general report last year flagged continued delays in Boeing's Space Launch System. As delays continue, NASA's associate administrator for human spaceflight said in August that development costs for the rocket would reach $9.1 billion, or 30% more than previous estimates. 

SpaceX Rises As SLS Rocket Rival

A successful hot-fire test and Artemis I launch later this year were vital to the massive rocket. It has been heavily criticized as a drain on NASA resources and a favored project of powerful lawmakers.

The Space Launch System could lose a mission due to delays. Hidden in the 2021 omnibus spending bill last month, Congress approved a commercial competition for the Europa Clipper mission if the SLS isn't ready and available for the 2024 mission.

There are also concerns that need to be mitigated about compatibility between the rocket and the Clipper, which will make multiple flybys around Jupiter's icy moon Europa.

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy or a United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy could potentially take the place of the SLS for the Europa Clipper mission.

Meanwhile, SpaceX has its own ambitions for the moon and Mars. The company has launched several prototypes of the Starship heavy-lift rocket, hitting 40,000 feet in a December test flight. 

SpaceX plans to send Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa on a lunar orbit mission in 2023. 

The latest Starship prototype won't fly this weekend following a record three separate static fire tests in one day on Thursday. SpaceX founder Elon Musk tweeted that two engines needed to be switched out for repairs. 

Follow Gillian Rich on Twitter for space news and more.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

Space Industry News And Top Space Companies

Is Boeing Stock A Buy Right Now?

Virgin Galactic, Space Stocks Soar As Tesla Bull Eyes New ETF

Catch The Next Big Winning Stock With MarketSmith