Could the SSMEs of the SLS do retro burns?

Question

The SLS will use the main engines of the space shuttle. Are these capable of retro-burns in the upper atmosphere like SpaceX’s Merlin engines?

More broadly, could the SLS’ main engines and supporting thrusters perform a vertical landing if programmed with proper software?

score 7 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 21 '19 at 18:47

7

They cannot, because SSMEs cannot be restarted in flight. See this answer for the details as to why.

answered Jul 21 '19 at 18:47

Organic Marble

2

Wow. That’s a bummer. This thing really is the Senate Launch System. – techSultan Jul 22 '19 at 01:10
2

IMHO it's criminal to dump those SSMEs into the ocean. – Organic Marble Jul 22 '19 at 01:10

1 Answers1