Nasa has said that the world’s most powerful rocket the SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy is “too small” for its missions.
Intense scrutiny has been heaped on Nasa over its decision not to pursue commercial launches since the incredible launch of Elon Musk’s private firm’s rocket.
The public agency has been heavily criticised by some experts for spending billions of dollars developing its Space Launch System (SLS) when cheaper options are available.
Bill Gerstenmaier, head of Nasa’s human spaceflight department, has now responded to questions over why it does not use billionaire business magnate Mr Musk’s impressive Falcon Heavy.
Speaking at a NASA Advisory Council meeting on Monday, he said the SpaceX rocket’s payload was “a lot smaller” than any of the SLS spacecrafts, which would be used to bring “large-volume, monolithic pieces" of equipment into space.
Mr Gerstenmaier went on to say that NASA's exploration program will require the unique capabilities of the SLS rocket, although he did not dismiss the use of the Falcon Heavy altogether.
SpaceX Falcon launch - In pictures
According to technology news website Ars Technica, he told the meeting: "I think it's still going to be large-volume, monolithic pieces that are going to require an SLS kind of capability to get them out into space.”
He added: "Then for routine servicing and bringing cargo, maybe bringing smaller crew vehicles other than Orion, then Falcon Heavy can play a role.”
