Rocket booster as powerful as 31 Boeing 747 planes

Boeing is developing a rocket launch system with the most powerful thrust ever to serve space exploration missions.

Illustration of the most powerful rocket to date. Photo: Boeing

According to CNBC, hThis launch system, abbreviated SLS, is being built at the science park.3.4 km2 wideof the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) insuburbs of New Orleans, USA. This is a single-use rocket that carries astronauts to distant places in the universe such as Mars.

The first unmanned test launch will take place in 2018. By 2021, astronauts will fly into space on the Orion spacecraft.using SLS rocket.

In 2016, Congress will give NASA $2 billion to fund the SLS project, most of which will go to Boeing to build the rocket. The rocket will have hydrogen and liquid oxygen fuel tanks, providing a thrust of nearly 40 million Newtons, equivalent to 31 747s at full power, according to Boeing engineer Tony Castilleja.

"This will be the only rocket that can cut travel time in half, doubling the capacity for scientific and space exploration," said Mr. Castilleja. The US Congress has also agreed to increase NASA's budget for this project to 19.3 billion USD.

NASA also hopes to get more funding after the first two Mars test flights. On return, the rocket could take astronauts to the Moon or an asteroid.

Engineers are focusing on the rocket's manufacturing part, making it lighter by reducing the weight of the welds and removing the decorative white paint on the rocket's body, ensuring the project stays on schedule and within budget.

Boeing SLS rocket launch system:

$76 million has also been earmarked for testing liquid fuel tanks. The 40-meter-high liquid hydrogen tank could be tested later this year.

“The biggest challenge for us is to test the engine, the liquid fuel tanks, almost all at the same time,” Wright said. These tests will determine the limits of the rocket.

According to VNE