"Space Launch System" needs a better name!

[SmallFatFetus]

Rockets have cool names (Saturn, Titan, Delta, Atlas, etc.) but one of the biggest, most powerful rockets in history is going to be named the "Space Launch System". I couldn't think of a more boring name if I tried. What cool names can you think of for the SLS?

SmallFatFetus

[LN400]

Jeb. Jumbo Excessive Boosters, and just to underline the bada$$ery of the sheer scale.

[G'th]

Whatever its name will end up being (Simply because even if NASA doesn't rename it, the press will), it'll likely end up a repeat of the LM/LEM situation. Most people will still call it the SLS for short.

[Kryten]

I would have suggested 'Vulcan' but ULA recently nabbed that. Zeus or Neptune would do instead, but unfortunately it'll probably stay SLS.

[Hcube]

Seeing how hige it will be, just call it "Whackjob's masterpiece"

Or is the name "moar boosters" more adapted ?

[_Augustus_]

Either Saturn IV, Saturn VI, or Ares V.

[lajoswinkler]

Why would you call it SmallFatFetus?

[tater]

Porkbarrel Express?

[rtxoff]

Most of the cool mythological names are already used. Only one i can think of that isn't used yet is Typhon.

With the planet names the next logical step-up to Saturn would be Jupiter however there is already a rocket family named Jupiter.

[A1Ch1]

It's going to be named via an essay contest for schoolchildren, as were Spirit, Opportunity, Endeavour, Sojourner, Curiosity, etc. Those all ended up with nice names

[Dkmdlb]

How about the retired SLS? At least that's what I hope it is called once it gets cancelled.

[AngelLestat]

PAELS: Pointless and expensive launch system

They take so long time with such big cost, than the day it will be ready, spacex will have a similar heavy launcher for much lower cost.

My prediction is that it will be used 5 times top.

Nasa should stop designing rockets or capsules, that money it will be more efficient spent in spacex hands.

[A1Ch1]

Which heavy launcher? Falcon Heavy or BFR? Because Falcon Heavy has great LEO performance but terrible high-energy performance, and SLS is designed for high-energy missions. And BFR doesn't have a name, or a finalized design, or a finalized engine, so it's hard to imagine it being ready before SLS, which is completing CDR now.

[Motokid600]

How about "Not launching until 2018 launch system"

[AngelLestat]

It does not matter if the SLS has many years ahead in design than the spacex MCT (mars colonial transporter), NASA is a time waste machine... They will finish first the SLS, but not with a big margin.

[UmbralRaptor]

Senate Launch System. (It's painfully accurate)

Rockets have cool names

Aside from Space Transportation System, or the aforementioned Delta. Or that a bunch of Soviet rockets started out with only alphanumerics and got names from their payloads (So you get things like East or Union). Japanese rockets still have that problem (HII-A, M-V, etc)

[Kibble]

Shuttle II would make a fine name. This vehicle has more in common with Space Shuttle than Atlas III had with Atlas II. Alternatively, for a more poetic name, how about Friendship! I think it sounds nice, it's a virtuous trait, and it references America's first piloted orbital mission, Friendship 7.

[Camacha]

Hugeflame McThunderballs would be a good name.

[Pipcard]

As a serious answer, I was thinking of Jupiter, like in the independent DIRECT proposal.

Aside from Space Transportation System, or the aforementioned Delta. Or that a bunch of Soviet rockets started out with only alphanumerics and got names from their payloads (So you get things like East or Union). Japanese rockets still have that problem (HII-A, M-V, etc)

I wonder, how would the Japanese name a rocket that wasn't a Latin or Greek letter?

Edited June 3, 2015 by Pipcard

[Bill Phil]

How about Uranus?

The saturn rockets were named so because Saturn is "the one after Jupiter", since they had Jupiter rockets, too.

Although Neptune sounds cooler....

- - - Updated - - -

Shuttle II would make a fine name. This vehicle has more in common with Space Shuttle than Atlas III had with Atlas II. Alternatively, for a more poetic name, how about Friendship! I think it sounds nice, it's a virtuous trait, and it references America's first piloted orbital mission, Friendship 7.

All numbered atlases used the same upper stage. I'd say the differences are about the same...

[StrandedonEarth]

Super-Heavy Launch Vehicle type A, or (time to steal one from the Hindu pantheon )

"SHlV-A"

[tater]

SLS is a boondoggle, plain and simple. Shuttle is a terrible model for doing, well, anything at all. The launch cost estimates for SLS are about as realistic as it was to call Shuttle "a space truck." remember when it was supposed to be cheap, and fly twice a month? LOL.

What do you put on top of a rocket with no mission? I guess a spacecraft with no mission.

[Kibble]

All numbered atlases used the same upper stage. I'd say the differences are about the same...

Atlas III retains the same upper stage, formerly-Shuttle adds an upper stage, both rockets stretch the core stage, Atlas III changes its primary rocket engines and staging set up, Shuttle adds a fourth rocket engine, Atlas III elides its solid boosters, and Shuttle stretches its boosters. I guess the differences are pretty comparable!

[Bill Phil]

Atlas III retains the same upper stage, formerly-Shuttle adds an upper stage, both rockets stretch the core stage, Atlas III changes its primary rocket engines and staging set up, Shuttle adds a fourth rocket engine, Atlas III elides its solid boosters, and Shuttle stretches its boosters. I guess the differences are pretty comparable!

Actually...

Installing the SSMEs into the EXT is essentially a completely new stage from the shuttle. Very different. The structure needed to be redone, plumbing had to be rearranged, and equipment to add an upper stage was added.

Just because the engines are the same doesn't mean anything. SLS required they be moved to the core. Which entails huge changes.

Not to mention that they're going to replace the current RS-25 with an improved version.

Oh, and, they also took off about 100 tonnes of the shuttle... To turn it into the SLS.

It's barely shuttle derived.

Atlas III used balloon tanks just like all atlases before it, used a centaur, and was reengineed. The reengining required the stage tanks to be resized. That and they needed to change the plumbing to suit the engine.

They didn't remove a giant 100 tonne chunk, though.

[Robotengineer]

Super-Heavy Launch Vehicle type A, or (time to steal one from the Hindu pantheon )

"SHlV-A"

*tsk, tsk* How dare you suggest such heathen names for a good, patriotic, god-fearing launch system. Next thing we know you'll want yoga on the ISS!

Letting the snark out a bit much.