Analysis / Commentary, Next Gen CommunityNASA, the Navy and Nukes: Solid Rocket Fuel and the Future of the Trident MissileByLindsay Miller and CSIS PONIPublished Jun 24, 2014Because both the space shuttles and the U.S. Trident D5 SLBMs rely on solid propellant fuels, NASA’s decisions about its space programs have repercussions in the defense industry. In 2017, NASA plans to launch the first mission of the new Space Launch System (SLS). In 2016, NASA will decide how exactly the SLS will be propelled.