Mercedes Mullins
The Space Launch System (SLS) is a US super heavy-lift expendable launch vehicle that first flew on Artemis 1 in November 2022. The core stage of the rocket is 8.4 meters (28 ft) in diameter and mounts a Main Propulsion System (MPS) that incorporates four RS-25 engines. The core stage is structurally similar to the Space Shuttle external tank, and the orange color of the SLS fuel tank comes from the spray-on foam insulation that covers the vehicle's liquid hydrogen and oxygen tanks. This insulation is necessary to protect the tanks from ultraviolet light during the extended time that the shuttle spends on the launchpad prior to liftoff.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for orange color | The orange color comes from the spray-on foam insulation that covers the vehicle's liquid hydrogen and oxygen tanks. |
| Previous paint color | White |
| Reason for previous paint color | To protect the shuttle from ultraviolet light while sitting on the launch pad |
| Weight of previous paint | 600 pounds |
| First SLS launch | Artemis I in November 2022 |
| Height | Over 300 feet tall |
| Weight | 5.75 million pounds at liftoff |
| Fuel | Liquid hydrogen |
| Fuel tank capacity | 537,000 gallons of chilled liquid hydrogen |
| Time taken to send SLS and Orion crew vehicle into orbit | 8.5 minutes |
| Configuration | Block I |
| Lift capacity | 70 metric tons (77 tons) |
| Number of engines | Four RS-25 engines |
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What You'll Learn
- The orange colour comes from the insulation that covers the tank
- The tank's insulation is orange to protect it from ultraviolet light
- The SLS fuel tank is over 300 feet tall and weighs 5.75 million pounds at liftoff
- The tank holds 537,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen fuel
- The tank is the largest major part of the SLS core stage
The orange colour comes from the insulation that covers the tank
The Space Launch System (SLS) is a US super heavy-lift expendable launch vehicle that first flew on Artemis 1 in November 2022. The core stage of the rocket is structurally similar to the Space Shuttle external tank. The core stage forms the rocket's backbone and has five major parts, all of which are being manufactured at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. The orange colour of the SLS comes from the insulation that covers the vehicle's liquid hydrogen and oxygen tanks. This is the same reason that the space shuttle's external fuel tank was orange.
The first two shuttle flights, STS-1 and STS-2, in 1981, featured tanks painted white to protect the shuttle from ultraviolet light while sitting on the launch pad. However, after engineers concluded that this protection was unnecessary, the white paint was discarded, reducing the weight of the external tank (ET) and increasing the cargo-carrying capability of the Space Shuttle. The external tank's orange colour is the colour of the spray-on foam insulation. When NASA debuted the SLS in 2011, the core stage had a pearl-white paint job. However, the new SLS artist's concepts show the core stage and stage adapter in their natural, orange colours.
The spray-on foam insulation process for Artemis II was automated for most sections of the core stage, saving 12 days in the schedule. The core stage tanks carry all the cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen combusted in four RS-25 engines to produce two million pounds of thrust. The tank holds 537,000 gallons of chilled liquid hydrogen that is completely combusted in the engines in the short 8.5 minutes it takes to send the SLS and Orion crew vehicle into orbit. The first flight of the SLS rocket, the Block I configuration, can lift 70 metric tons (77 tons). The next planned upgrade, known as Block 1B, will use a more powerful exploration upper stage for more ambitious missions with a 105-metric-ton (115-ton) lift capacity.
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The tank's insulation is orange to protect it from ultraviolet light
The tanks' insulation is orange to protect it from ultraviolet light. The Space Launch System (SLS) is a US super heavy-lift expendable launch vehicle that first flew on Artemis 1 in November 2022. The core stage of the rocket is 8.4 meters (28 feet) in diameter and mounts a Main Propulsion System (MPS) that incorporates four RS-25 engines. The core stage is structurally similar to the Space Shuttle external tank, and initial flights will use modified RS-25D engines left over from the Space Shuttle program.
The orange colour comes from the spray-on foam insulation that covers the vehicle's liquid hydrogen and oxygen tanks. This insulation serves a critical function in protecting the vehicle's fuel tanks from ultraviolet light exposure. The first two shuttle flights, STS-1 and STS-2, in 1981, featured tanks painted white to provide the same protection from ultraviolet light while sitting on the launchpad. However, engineers later concluded that this additional protection was unnecessary, and the white paint was discarded to reduce weight.
The core stage of the SLS is responsible for propelling the upper stage and payload out of the Earth's atmosphere to near-orbital velocity. It contains the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks, which provide the fuel and oxidizer for the RS-25 engines. The liquid hydrogen fuel tank, the largest part of the core stage, is over 27.5 feet in diameter and more than 130 feet long. The core stage also includes the forward and aft solid rocket booster attach points, avionics, and equipment for autogenous pressurization of the vehicle's tanks.
The orange insulation on the SLS fuel tanks is not just an aesthetic choice but a functional one. By protecting the tanks from ultraviolet light, the insulation helps to maintain the integrity of the fuel and oxidizer, ensuring the successful operation of the SLS during its missions to deep space.
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The SLS fuel tank is over 300 feet tall and weighs 5.75 million pounds at liftoff
The SLS (Space Launch System) is a US super heavy-lift expendable launch vehicle, which first flew on Artemis 1 in November 2022. The SLS fuel tank is an integral part of this powerful rocket, which is designed to carry humans to destinations never explored before. Standing at over 300 feet tall and weighing 5.75 million pounds at liftoff, the SLS fuel tank is an engineering marvel.
The core stage, which includes the fuel tank, forms the backbone of the rocket. It consists of five major parts, all of which are meticulously crafted at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. The core stage is not just about the fuel tank, it also encompasses the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks, the forward and aft solid rocket booster attach points, avionics, and the Main Propulsion System (MPS).
The liquid hydrogen fuel tank, a critical component of the core stage, plays a pivotal role in powering the SLS. With a diameter of 27.5 feet and a length of over 130 feet, it is the largest major part of the SLS core stage. The tank holds an impressive 537,000 gallons of chilled liquid hydrogen, which is completely combusted in just 8.5 minutes during the launch process.
The sheer size and weight of the SLS fuel tank are testaments to the engineering prowess behind the Space Launch System. The core stage provides approximately 25% of the vehicle's thrust at liftoff, with the remaining 75% generated by the solid rocket boosters. This combination propels the upper stage and payload to incredible speeds, enabling them to reach destinations beyond low-Earth orbit.
The orange hue of the SLS fuel tank is not just an aesthetic choice but a functional one. The orange colour originates from the spray-on foam insulation that covers the liquid hydrogen and oxygen tanks. Initially, the first two shuttle flights, STS-1 and STS-2, in 1981, featured tanks painted white to protect them from ultraviolet light while on the launchpad. However, engineers later concluded that this protection was unnecessary, and the white paint was discarded to reduce weight.
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The tank holds 537,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen fuel
The core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) is the rocket's backbone and is comprised of five major parts. The core stage is responsible for propelling the upper stage and payload out of the atmosphere to near orbital velocity. The core stage tanks carry all the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen combusted in four RS-25 engines to produce two million pounds of thrust.
The SLS is a Space Shuttle-derived launch vehicle. The rocket's first stage is powered by one central core stage and two outboard solid rocket boosters. All SLS Blocks share a common core stage design but differ in their upper stages and boosters. The core stage provides approximately 25% of the vehicle's thrust at liftoff, with the rest coming from the solid rocket boosters.
The upcoming 1.4-million-gallon liquid hydrogen tank at Kennedy Space Center will increase the rate at which NASA can conduct launch attempts. The new liquid hydrogen tank will have a capacity of 1.4 million gallons, with a usable capacity of 1.25 million gallons. The two existing liquid hydrogen tanks at Kennedy Space Center will provide a combined LH2 storage capacity of 2.1 million gallons to fuel the new SLS rocket, supporting future Artemis exploration missions to the Moon and Mars.
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The tank is the largest major part of the SLS core stage
The core stage of the SLS rocket is 8.4 meters (28 ft) in diameter and mounts a Main Propulsion System (MPS) that incorporates four RS-25 engines. The core stage is responsible for approximately 25% of the vehicle's thrust at liftoff, with the remaining 75% coming from the solid rocket boosters. The core stage forms the rocket's backbone and has five major parts, all of which are being manufactured at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.
The orange color of the SLS core stage comes from the spray-on foam insulation that covers the vehicle's liquid hydrogen and oxygen tanks. This insulation is functional, protecting the tanks from ultraviolet light while on the launchpad, and also serves an aesthetic purpose, with NASA engineers and artists embracing the natural orange color in their designs.
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Frequently asked questions
The orange colour comes from the spray-on foam insulation that covers the vehicle's liquid hydrogen and oxygen tanks.
The insulation protects the tank from ultraviolet light during the extended time that the shuttle spends on the launch pad.
Ultraviolet light can cause damage to the fuel tank, which could compromise the safety and functionality of the vehicle.
Yes, the insulation also provides thermal protection to the fuel tank, helping to regulate the temperature and prevent extreme heat or cold from affecting the fuel and vehicle components.
The insulation will be used on the initial SLS missions, but it is possible that future iterations of the vehicle may utilise different materials or technologies for insulation or protection from UV light.
