Uploaded November 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 minutes ago
After 11 years and billions of dollars, NASA's new rocket, the Space Launch System, or SLS, is finally ready for the Artemis program. But with private companies like SpaceX, RocketLab, Boeing, and Blue Origin building their own powerful rockets, why does NASA need a new super heavy-lift rocket? Especially one that is so expensive? Why is SLS so expensive? Why did NASA retire the Space Shuttle? Why doesn’t NASA just use the Saturn V rocket again, like they did in the 1960s?
Today is all about what lead to the development of SLS. We’re going to try and tackle some complex and political questions in a brief history of the Space Launch System. From the end of the space shuttle, to the cancelled constellation program, to the launch of the private space industry - we’ve got a lot of ground to cover today!
This episode is a bit messy and complicated. Please comment respectfully!
Video Timestamps:
00:00 - Some questions about SLS
00:45 - Why NASA Retired the Space Shuttle
02:19 - NASA's Constellation Program
02:52 - Funding Private Space Companies
03:34 - The Space Launch System
04:21 - Why are Rockets so Expensive?
05:15 - What a $1 Billion Rocket Gets You
06:18 - NASA’s Future with SpaceX (and others!)
Further Youtube Videos on this Subject:
🔗 Why The US Took So Long To Replace Space Shuttle's Crew Capability by Scott Manley - youtube.com/watch?v=z49eVQ6LxIE
🔗 Why don’t we fly the Saturn V? (Deep dive into SLS development and decisions) By Eager Network - youtube.com/watch?v=ZNZx208bw0g
🔗SLS vs SpaceX Starship by Everyday Astronaut - everydayastronaut.com/sls-vs-starship
🔗 Why cant we remake the F1 Engines? By Curious Droid youtu.be/ovD0aLdRUs0
🔗 The SLS is Outdated. Why Does it Exist? By Real Engineering - youtube.com/watch?v=0waPJXaZgEg&t=232s
🔗 Why is NASA so slow? By Curious Droid youtu.be/jGZagqJ833c
👨🚀 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and quick space-facts from our videos instagram.com/digitalastronaut.tv
🎥 Want to help us make more videos and reach more people? Like this video and subscribe to our channel!
Episode Credits:
Written, Directed, and Edited: Jared Belcher
3D Animation: Andy Belcher (instagram.com/andy__animates/)
2D Animation and Compositing: Jared Belcher
Original Theme Music: Branded.
Episode Music: “I Can Feel Her" by Tim Mann, "Journey" by Branded (original song)
💻Equipment Used:
iPhone 13 Pro
Tascam DR-10L Portable Digital Audio Recorder With Lavalier Microphone
Sony a6500
2022 MacBook Air (M2)
2019 MacBook Pro
Autodesk Maya
Final Cut Pro
Apple Motion
After 11 years and billions of dollars, NASA's new rocket, the Space Launch System, or SLS, is finally ready for the Artemis program. But with private companies like SpaceX, RocketLab, Boeing, and Blue Origin building their own powerful rockets, why does NASA need a new super heavy-lift rocket? Especially one that is so expensive? Why is SLS so expensive? Why did NASA retire the Space Shuttle? Why doesn’t NASA just use the Saturn V rocket again, like they did in the 1960s?
Today is all about what lead to the development of SLS. We’re going to try and tackle some complex and political questions in a brief history of the Space Launch System. From the end of the space shuttle, to the cancelled constellation program, to the launch of the private space industry - we’ve got a lot of ground to cover today!
This episode is a bit messy and complicated. Please comment respectfully!
Video Timestamps:
00:00 - Some questions about SLS
00:45 - Why NASA Retired the Space Shuttle
02:19 - NASA's Constellation Program
02:52 - Funding Private Space Companies
03:34 - The Space Launch System
04:21 - Why are Rockets so Expensive?
05:15 - What a $1 Billion Rocket Gets You
06:18 - NASA’s Future with SpaceX (and others!)
Further Youtube Videos on this Subject:
🔗 Why The US Took So Long To Replace Space Shuttle's Crew Capability by Scott Manley - youtube.com/watch?v=z49eVQ6LxIE
🔗 Why don’t we fly the Saturn V? (Deep dive into SLS development and decisions) By Eager Network - youtube.com/watch?v=ZNZx208bw0g
🔗SLS vs SpaceX Starship by Everyday Astronaut - everydayastronaut.com/sls-vs-starship
🔗 Why cant we remake the F1 Engines? By Curious Droid youtu.be/ovD0aLdRUs0
🔗 The SLS is Outdated. Why Does it Exist? By Real Engineering - youtube.com/watch?v=0waPJXaZgEg&t=232s
🔗 Why is NASA so slow? By Curious Droid youtu.be/jGZagqJ833c
👨🚀 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and quick space-facts from our videos instagram.com/digitalastronaut.tv
🎥 Want to help us make more videos and reach more people? Like this video and subscribe to our channel!
Episode Credits:
Written, Directed, and Edited: Jared Belcher
3D Animation: Andy Belcher (instagram.com/andy__animates/)
2D Animation and Compositing: Jared Belcher
Original Theme Music: Branded.
Episode Music: “I Can Feel Her" by Tim Mann, "Journey" by Branded (original song)
💻Equipment Used:
iPhone 13 Pro
Tascam DR-10L Portable Digital Audio Recorder With Lavalier Microphone
Sony a6500
2022 MacBook Air (M2)
2019 MacBook Pro
Autodesk Maya
Final Cut Pro
Apple Motion
