NASA’s RS-25 Engine Hot Fire Test Advances Artemis Program for Moon and Mars Exploration

2024-03-10 21:55:13

At NASA Stennis, a crucial full-length RS-25 hot fire vehicle test marks significant progress in the Artemis program, aiming to explore the Moon and Mars. Credit: NASA/Danny Nowlin

NASA’s final RS-25 engine hot burn test at the Stennis Space Center marks a significant step in qualifying new engines for the SLS rocket, intended for future Artemis missions to the moon and beyond, showcases the collaborative efforts between NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne and Syncom Space Services.

NASA conducted a hot fire of an RS-25 engine on March 6, continuing a final round of qualification testing to produce new engines that will help propel the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket on future Artemis missions to the moon and beyond.

The hot-fire test of the RS-25 engine exceeded launch duration requirements, proving its readiness for Artemis missions to the moon. Credit: NASA/Danny Nowlin

The full-duration test on the Fred Haise Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, marked the ninth in a planned series of 12 tests. Engineers are collecting test data to validate an updated engine manufacturing process, using innovative manufacturing techniques, for Lead engine contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris Technologies.

NASA engineers at Stennis are verifying the performance of the RS-25 engine for the Space Launch System, essential for the upcoming Artemis flights. Credit: NASA/Danny Nowlin

During the March 6 test, operators fired the qualification engine for 10 minutes (600 seconds), longer than the time needed to help launch the SLS rocket and send astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft into orbit. The test team also ran the engine at power levels between 80% and 113% to test performance in several scenarios.

Four RS-25 engines, along with a pair of solid rocket boosters, launch NASA’s powerful SLS rocket, generating more than 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff for the Artemis missions.

NASA’s full-duration test of the RS-25 engine at the Stennis Center paves the way for the next generation of lunar exploration. Credit: NASA/Danny Nowlin

Through Artemis, NASA will establish the foundation for long-term scientific exploration on the Moon, land the first woman, the first person of color, and the first international partner astronaut on the surface of the Moon, and prepare for human missions to Mars for the benefit of all. The RS-25 tests at NASA Stennis are performed by A diverse team of operators from NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne and Syncom Space Services, prime contractor for facilities and site operations.