NASA Artemis V Moon Rocket Engine Test: Preparing for Crewed Missions

NASA Artemis V Moon Rocket Engine Test: Preparing for Crewed Missions

NASA’s newly redesigned RS-25 engine for future flights of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket beginning with Artemis V, underwent its second hot fire test of the year on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at the agency’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. This is part of a planned 12-test series of the newly redesigned RS-25 engines. The engine operated at up to 111% power level—the same level needed to help power NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS). The test had a duration of 600 seconds, more than the length of time the engines must fire during an actual flight (about eight-and-a-half minutes).

The testing series supports production of new RS-25 engines by lead SLS engine contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne. The new engines will help power future Artemis missions to the Moon, beginning with Artemis V, as NASA explores the universe for the benefit of all.

Four RS-25 engines fire simultaneously to generate a combined 1.6 million pounds of thrust at launch and 2 million pounds of thrust during ascent to help power each SLS flight. NASA and Aerojet Rocketdyne modified 16 engines remaining from the Space Shuttle Program, which were proven flightworthy at Stennis for Artemis missions I through IV.

Every RS-25 engine that will help power SLS will be tested at NASA Stennis. RS-25 tests at the site are conducted by a combined team of NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Syncom Space Services operators. Syncom Space Services is the prime contractor for Stennis facilities and operations.

Through Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the surface of the Moon, paving the way for a long-term lunar presence and serving as a steppingstone on the way to Mars.

For information about the Space Launch System, visit: 

https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/index.html

Credit: NASA Stennis

Acknowledgement: SciNews

Duration: 11 minutes

Release Date: Feb. 22, 2023

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