NASA conducted on March 22 a hot-fire test of the new-generation RS-25 engine, which will power the Space Launch System in future Artemis missions.
The test, the 10th in a 12-part series, is a component of the production certification process for the latest RS-25 variant, which is being developed by L3Harris Technologies company Aerojet Rocketdyne, NASA said Friday.
Four of the new engines are set to power the SLS beginning with the Artemis V mission. Up until then, the SLS is propelled by 16 former space shuttle engines modified by the space agency and Aerojet.
The recent test took place on the Fred Haise Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center with the help of Syncom Space Services, the prime contractor for site facilities and operations.
During the test, the RS-25 was fired for 500 seconds at 113 percent power. During launch, the engines will operate at 111 percent power. The extra power level during the test was meant to provide a margin of operational safety.
