NASA's latest hot-fire, RS-25 engine No. 20001, roared throughout the 500-second launch, proving it could carry the Space Launch System and Orion rocket to the moon. The test achieved an eye-popping 111 percent power and produced 2 million pounds of thrust, the first full run since the new engine was certified in 2024.

NASA tested RS-25 engine No. 20001 on June 20 at the Fred Haise Test Stand at Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The test team fired the engine for nearly eight and a half minutes (500 seconds), which is the same time it took the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket to ignite on the Artemis lunar mission. Image source: NASA

NASA's newest RS-25 rocket engine (No. 20001) lit up the night sky on June 20 at the Fred Haise Test Stand at Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Engineers left the engine running for a full 500 seconds - exactly how long it would burn during the SLS (Space Launch System) launch that will carry Artemis astronauts to the moon. The Artemis program aims to explore new lunar science, inspire new economic opportunities and lay the foundation for humanity's first journey to Mars.

The single SLS rocket launch system (SLS) uses four RS-25 engines manufactured by L3 Harris Technologies (formerly Aerojet Rocketdyne). Together, these engines can produce an astonishing 2 million pounds of thrust. During this test, Engine 20001 was pushed to 111% of its rated power, enough to launch the Orion spacecraft into orbit. This is the first time since NASA certified a new batch of RS-25 engines in 2024 that the entire process has been "hot."

The RS-25 rocket engine has a series of historic milestones. Originally known as the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), it was launched 135 times over three decades. It went on to play another historic role, launching the Space Launch System (SLS) deep-space rocket, which was more powerful than the Space Shuttle. Image credit: NASA/Kevin O'Brien

All RS-25 engines are tested at NASA Stennis Field and proven airworthy. The testing was conducted by an operations team consisting of NASA, L3Harris Corporation, and Syncom Space Services, the general contractor for site facilities and operations.

Compiled from /scitechdaily