The National Launch System (NLS) was a joint NASA and Department of Defense initiative to design a versatile, cost-effective fleet of expendable launch vehicles. The concept relied on standardized components, such as the Space Transportation Main Engine, to scale from medium to heavy payloads. The program was canceled before hardware was built, but its concepts influenced later rockets.
Heard on the job
The NLS architecture studies proved that standardizing the core stage could drastically cut manufacturing costs.
Also heard as
- National Launch System