The digital brains guiding NASA's massive Space Launch System rocket
In short: The Space Launch System (SLS) generates over 8 million pounds of thrust, but raw power isn't enough to reach orbit. To navigate speeds of nearly 25,000 miles per hour, the rocket relies on a complex network of distributed avionics and flight software to direct every pivot and trajectory.
To handle extreme launch stresses, the SLS employs a distributed network of 'brains.' Throughout the first eight minutes—from liftoff until the core stage separates from the in-space stage and Orion spacecraft—three flight computers atop the core stage control the vehicle's path. These units evaluate data to determine rocket maneuvers; for redundancy and safety, a minimum of two out of three must operate flawlessly throughout. This critical system manages the transition from the ground launch sequencer to the automated launch sequencer. During the initial flight phase, the avionics ensure all functions perform without issue. No hardware malfunctions or abort monitor triggers were detected during the mission. Furthermore, the system maintained excellent closed-loop ullage control for liquid oxygen and hydrogen.
This electrical and software network extends beyond the core stage. Each of the four RS-25 engines is equipped with its own controller to ensure performance meets specific requirements. These controllers communicate with the core stage flight computers and share data with the Orion spacecraft and ground controllers. NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, hosted the hot fire testing used to qualify these engine controllers.
The architecture of these systems is evolving alongside the rocket's design. The Block 1 version, used for Artemis I and intended for Artemis II and III, positions its flight computers at the core stage's top. However, starting with the Block 1B variant and Artemis IV, these computers will move to a new component called the exploration upper stage (EUS). This evolution ensures the avionics can support the changing requirements of deep space exploration.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: NASA Administrator Checks Out SLS Flight Avionics on This Week @NASA
- Also: SLS (Space Launch System) Avionics: The “Brains” of SLS - NASA
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