NASA Tests Space Launch System Rocket Machine For Artemis Mission

NASA tested the SLS rocket engine, RS-25, in Stennis (photo: dock. NASA)

JAKARTA The United States Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) set fire to the RS-25 engine, part of the Space Launch System (SLS), the third time on Wednesday, November 29.

During testing at the Fred Haise Test Stand, the Stennis Space Center, the RS-25 was rotated for almost 11 minutes to see the engine burning using a gaming technique so that the SLS could remain stable on its way to orbit.

In addition to turning its engine, NASA also encourages RS-25 to work beyond the parameters specified during the flight. The hope is that the RS-25 engine can reach operational safety limits for SLS.

In its release, NASA explained that engine combustion was carried out up to a power level of 113 percent, two percent higher than what RS-25 needed to bring SLS to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

The four RS-25 machines were also turned on simultaneously to produce a combination of 1.6 million pounds during launch and 2 million pounds during the ascent so that SLS could be launched without any problems.

For information, this test was carried out by a joint team consisting of NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Syncom Space Services. The burning of the RS-25 engine is part of the process of achieving 12 test certification.

If the RS-25 is suitable for use, it will assist SLS in launching a manned Orion spacecraft for the Artemis mission, which is a human landing program on the moon.