bricks   from STS to SLS   mocs for SLS based on LEGO polybag 11976

our LEGO MOCs for the Space Launch System (SLS)

© by Harald Kraenzel, December 2023

The LEGO Explorer magazine, which has been discontinued since the end of July 2023, contained the polybag 11976 Space Shuttle in the March/2023 issue, which we (my LEGO and space travel colleague Ralf and I as the author of the article) adapted to our ideas. Here the related link: LEGO Explorer: Space Shuttle polybag.

After we had successfully implemented this, we developed the idea that we could also create the SLS rockets (Block 1 and Block 1B) in the same scale (approx. 1:510 ).

The Space Shuttle project ended in mid-2011 with flight STS-135. The subsequent system SLS (Space Launch System) was launched and – after many delays – was able to carry out a test flight of all components with Artemis I in November 2022.

STS                       Block 1                    Block 1B

While the Space Shuttle was designed as a transport system to/from Earth orbit, the mission of the SLS is to enable flights to the moon and beyond. Certain components were carried over from the STS. These include the solid rocket boosters and 16 SSMEs (Space Shuttle Main Engines). The latter were mounted on the tail of a Space Shuttle orbiter and had supported the flight into Earth orbit. Although these SSMEs were used on the Space Shuttle as reusable engines (three per orbiter), four of the 16 SSMEs with the registration number RS-25 in the SLS are used per flight and not salvaged, i.e. only used for one flight. Thus, a total of four Artemis flights are planned with these SSMEs taken over from the STS. Completely new engines will be manufactured for further flights. The solid rocket boosters for the SLS are identical to the versions used in the STS (certain components have been technically upgraded), but with five segments instead of four they are longer and more powerful than their predecessors in the STS. Like the SSMEs, the individual components of the SLS rockets are also used only once. At the STS, these were recovered on parachutes and prepared for future flights. Up to four astronauts can be accommodated in the Orion capsule, which has a similar shape to the Apollo moon capsule but is correspondingly larger. The central stage is mounted between the solid rocket boosters and on top of this, depending on the mission, further stages and finally the Orion capsule with the rescue system are added. The Artemis I mission, flown late last year, used the Block 1 Crew version, which can carry up to 95 tons into low Earth orbit (27 tons towards the moon). This rocket has a height of 98 m. The Artemis II (late 2024) and III (late 2025) missions will also use this configuration. Artemis IV (circa 2028) is planned to use the SLS “Block 1B Crew” configuration, which is 111 m high and can carry up to 105 t (38 t towards the moon). This increase in the payload to be transported is important in order to be able to take other modules with you in addition to the Orion capsule (e.g. those required for the construction of the lunar gateway - a small space station around the moon). This is achieved by a larger upper stage, the Exploration Upper Stage (EUS), which replaces the upper stage used in Block 1 (Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage - ICPS). With the "European Service Module (ESM)" - which is mounted below the Orion capsule - the European space agency ESA makes a decisive contribution to the SLS. The ESM provides electricity, water, oxygen and nitrogen, among other things, keeps the capsule at the right temperature and on the right course.

To transport the SLS rockets to the launch site, two launch platforms (Mobile Launcher, ML) are used. ML1 is used for the "Block 1" and ML2 for the "Block 1B" variant. Reinforced and slightly taller due to the heavier weight of the "Block 1B" configuration, ML2 has two of the ML1's access arms mounted at higher positions, including the so-called CAA (Crew Access Arm - the access arm used by the crew to access the Orion -capsule). Unlike the STS, there is a service tower on the ML (on the STS, this was permanently mounted at the launch site). This is similar to the configuration used on the Apollo lunar flights.

The SLS is based on the core stage with the two solid rocket boosters (SRB).

Dimensions: H=11.4 cm, W= 4.3 cm, L= 2.5 cm, total bricks: 68

All price informations given in this document are in EURO and from August 4th, 2023, but are only intended as a guide. Please refer to the systems used for daily prices.

Price:

studio	3.32
Bricklink (auto)	2.63

Artemis I has used and Artemis II and III missions will use the Block 1 configuration (a transition upper stage and the Orion capsule with the escape tower).		Mobile Launcher 1 (ML1) with the following structure (service tower) is then used for these missions
Dimensions: H= 6.8 cm, W= 2.1 cm, L= 2.1 cm, total bricks: 7		Dimensions: H=20.2 cm, W= 7.2 cm, L= 6.4 cm, total bricks: 226
Price:
studio 0.27 Bricklink (auto) 0.29		studio 15.77 Bricklink (auto) 10.08

The base of ML1 and ML2:

Dimensions: H= 3.5 cm, W=10.6 cm, L=10.0 cm, total bricks: 93

Price:

studio	9.82
Bricklink (auto)	7.45

From the Artemis IV mission onwards, the Block 1B configuration with a stronger upper stage will be used.		Mobile Launcher 2 (ML2) with the following structure (service tower) will serve for these missions
Dimensions: H= 8.8 cm, W= 2.1 cm, L= 2.1 cm, total bricks: 9		Dimensions: H=21.4 cm, W= 6.4 cm, L= 7.2 cm, total bricks: 250
Price:
studio 0.43 Bricklink (auto) 0.48		studio 17.56 Bricklink (auto) 11.09

The NASA crawler is required to transport the Artemis rockets to launch site 39B:

Dimensions: H=10.0 cm, W= 7.5 cm, L=10.5 cm, total bricks: 76

Price:

studio	6.41
Bricklink (auto)	5.83

Propellants and other required liquids are routed to the SLS rocket stages via special access arms on ML1's and ML2's the service towers. The power and data supply is also ensured via special access arms. Before launch, these access arms are aligned in such a way that they are close to the rocket in order to reach the intended coupling points (refueling nozzles or power/data connections). During such moments it is not possible for the SLS rocket to take off without colliding with the access arms. That is why they are folded away (some to the side, some upwards and some downwards) at liftoff.

We have implemented the following functionality (each access arm can be moved individually):

before launch
(access arms are positioned close to the rocket stages)

at liftoff
(access arms are folded away from the rocket stages)




Those who are not interested in the MLs can present the rockets on a small display:

Dimensions: H=3.5 cm, W=4.9 cm, L=6.4 cm, total bricks: 51

Price:

studio	5.87
Bricklink (auto)	4.08

A general note


For the Orion Capsule we used the brick on the left (Cone 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 2/3 Truncated - 33492). This is currently NOT available in white. Alternatively, you could use the brick on the right (Cone 1 1/6 x 1 1/6 x 2/3 (Fez) - 85975).

As always, the building instructions are available free of charge under the following links:

General description

Core stage + Solid Rocket Boosters

Block 1 configuration

Mobile launcher base

Mobile Launcher Tower 1

Block 1B configuration

Mobile Launcher Tower 2

Display

Crawler

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