NASA has announced the start of development of a heavy launcher that will carry humans beyond Earth's orbit

The launcher, called SLS, will be based on existing technologies to reduce costs

NASA has chosen the design for a new launch system that will take astronauts beyond the Earth (SLS - Space Launch System), and according to it will create high-tech jobs in the US, and will also serve as the cornerstone for America's future manned missions.
The development of the new launcher will be done while the launches to the space station that is in low orbit around the Earth will be transferred to the private space industry, which will carry them out at least until 2020. The money that will be freed up will make it possible to develop a launcher that will be the most powerful since the end of the Apollo program in which Saturn 5 rockets were used.
The decision on the launcher was made after discussions that lasted about a month to choose the design that would ensure that the US would receive a launcher that would not only be strong but also flexible so that it could be adapted to different tasks when the opportunities arrive and new technologies are developed.
The new SLS launcher will carry humans beyond low orbit in a capsule that will be derived from the canceled Orion program - the multi-purpose passenger cabin. The rocket will use hydrogen and liquid oxygen fuel, with RS-25D/E engines providing the central thrust and J2X engines being used in the upper stage.
There will be a competition to develop the launchers based on the required performance. The decision to use the same fueling method (liquid fuel) for both the lower stages (acceleration stages) and the upper stage was based on an analysis conducted by NASA, which recommended the use of common components to reduce costs and increase flexibility.
The new launcher will be able to carry 70-100 tons at the beginning of the project, and in the future it will reach a capacity of 130 tons.
The first development flights will use the solid fuel rockets and other existing equipment. These flights will allow NASA to reduce development costs, promote innovation within the agency and private industry, and achieve goals sooner. "NASA has made great progress toward realizing the President's goals for deep space exploration, while accomplishing the mission in the most cost-effective way," said NASA Deputy Administrator Laurie Graver.

"We were able to lower costs in the new launch system (SLS) and Orion by adopting new ways of doing business and carrying out projects in the hundreds of millions of dollars every year," Graeber said.

"NASA chose to start the competition for the development of the launcher based on performance parameters and not on the type of fuel because we require flexibility." The procurement strategy for the core launcher, the accelerator stages and the upper stage will be delivered at a later stage," Greiber added.

"This launch system will create good paying jobs in America, ensure continued US leadership in space and inspire millions of people around the world," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "President Obama challenged us and dreamed big, and that's exactly what we did at NASA. I was proud of my shuttle flights, tomorrow's astronauts will dream of walking on Mars one day."

"By making the decision on the architecture of the new heavy launch vehicle, NASA will be able to move forward with the construction of the rocket and the next generation of spacecraft and technologies required to carry out ambitious manned programs in deep space" says John Holdren, Assistant to President Obama for Science and Technology. said. "We are working to maintain US leadership in manned space missions."

For an explanation of the new launcher on the NASA website