On January 17, NASA conducted a full-sustained hot fire of the RS-25 engine on the Fred Haise Test Stand at Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, with the goal of certifying the engine for future lunar exploration (beginning with Artemis V) of the SLS rocket in support of the Artemis program.


The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) completed a full-duration 500-second hot ignition of the RS-25 certified engine on January 17, continuing a critical series of tests to support future SLS (Space Launch System) missions to the moon and beyond. NASA explores the secrets of the universe and benefits all mankind. Image source: NASA/Danny Nolin

Data collected from the series of tests will be used to certify the new RS-25 engine produced by Aerojet Rocketdyne, a division of prime contractor L3 Harris Technologies, to help power SLS rockets on future Artemis missions to the moon and beyond, starting with Artemis V.


NASA's test at Stennis Space Center on January 17 marked an important step in the Artemis program, successfully performing a full sustained hot fire on the RS-25 engine. Image credit: NASA/DannyNowlin

Teams are evaluating the performance of several new engine components, including nozzles, hydraulic actuators, flexible piping and turbopumps. The current series of tests is the second and final series to certify production of the upgraded engines. NASA completed the initial 12 series of test certifications for the upgraded components in June 2023.

During the Jan. 17 test, operators used a "real-life lift-off test" method to fire the engines at power levels of 80 to 113 percent in the same amount of time required to launch the SLS, nearly eight and a half minutes (500 seconds).


On January 17, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducted a full sustained thermal fire on RS-25, a key engine test for the Artemis mission. Image credit: NASA/DannyNowlin

The January 17 test came three months after the current series of tests began in October. In three tests last fall, operators took anywhere from 500 seconds to 650 seconds to ignite the engine. The longest planned test in the series was conducted on November 29. During the nearly 11 minutes (650 seconds) hot fire, the crew performed gimbal control, or steering, of the engine. Gimbal technology is used to control and stabilize the SLS as it enters orbit.

Each SLS flight is powered by four RS-25 engines that fire simultaneously during launch and ascent, producing more than 2 million pounds of thrust.


NASA's recent RS-25 engine test marks a leap toward lunar exploration through the Artemis program. NASA moves one step closer to the moon by testing new engine components at the Fred Haise test bed, a successful test that strengthens the capabilities of the SLS rocket aboard Artemis V. Credit: NASA/Danny Nowlin

SLS's first four Artemis missions used modified space shuttle main engines that could reach 109% of rated power. The newly produced RS-25 engines will be powered at 111% to provide additional thrust. Testing to a power level of 113% increases operational safety.

With the completion of the test campaign in 2024, all systems are expected to "begin" production of 24 new RS-25 engines for missions starting with Artemis V.

Through Artemis, NASA will establish a long-term presence on the Moon, conduct scientific exploration with commercial and international partners, learn how to live and work far from home, and prepare for future human exploration of Mars.

Compiled source: ScitechDaily