NASA Fires RS-25 Rocket Engine for 10 Minutes

NASA has concluded a full-duration hot fire test for the RS-25 engine to help power the Space Launch System rocket for future Artemis missions.

During the test, operators fired the engine for 10 minutes at power levels between 80 percent and 113 percent, allowing testers to study power outputs and capabilities within and beyond the operating range. Engineers from NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne and Syncom Space Services are collecting data to certify the engine’s performance.

The RS-25 was developed by Aerojet Rocketdyne and L3Harris Technologies. Four RS-25 engines will be used to power the SLS.

The test, performed at the Stennis Space Center, is the ninth in a 12-test program, NASA said.

The ninth test followed a critical test series in January, allowing NASA to evaluate upgrades to the RS-25 engine further. During the January test series, teams evaluated engine components, including hydraulic actuators and a new nozzle, by firing the component as astronauts would during real-life flights.

Another test held in October saw the longest rocket activation for the RS-25 to date, firing for nearly 11 minutes and testing the engine’s steering capabilities.