L3Harris Technologies, in partnership with NASA, has test-fired the second RS-25 engine that may energy the core stage of the Space Launch System rocket for the Artemis V area mission.
The check, carried out at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, validated the engine’s efficiency and reliability, L3Harris stated Wednesday.
What Did the RS-25 Engine Test Demonstrate?
The sizzling hearth check lasted for about 500 seconds, precisely how lengthy engines should hearth throughout an actual area mission. The engine additionally reached 111 % of its rated energy stage throughout the firing.
Led by NASA, the check evaluated engine efficiency, sturdiness and reliability. It marks the second flight-ready engine produced utilizing trendy manufacturing strategies, together with 3D printing, decreasing manufacturing prices by 30 %, in accordance with L3Harris.
“As we approach America’s 250th anniversary next year, it’s fitting that we’re advancing the Artemis program that embodies the pioneering spirit of our nation,” stated Kristin Houston, president of area propulsion and energy programs at L3Harris subsidiary Aerojet Rocketdyne. “By leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques, we’re delivering engines that are more cost-effective while maintaining the power and reliability needed to propel Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond.”
L3Harris and NASA additionally carried out a full-duration sizzling hearth check of the engine in June to judge its launch efficiency.
What Makes the RS-25 Engine Critical to Artemis?
The RS-25 is a liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen-powered staged-combustion engine that developed from the Space Shuttle foremost engine. The RS-25 is predicted to ship 512,300 kilos of vacuum thrust at 109 % energy.
Each SLS launch makes use of 4 RS-25 engines that collectively generate about two million kilos of thrust to propel NASA’s Orion spacecraft towards the moon. The company has already accomplished set up of the primary of 24 deliberate RS-25 engines for future Artemis missions.
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