NASA achieves milestone for engines to power future Artemis missions

NASA achieved a serious milestone April 3 for manufacturing of latest RS-25 engines to assist energy its Artemis marketing campaign to the moon and past with completion of a important engine certification check sequence at NASA’s Stennis Area Heart close to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

The 12-test sequence represents a key step for lead engines contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3Harris Applied sciences firm, to construct new RS-25 engines, utilizing trendy processes and manufacturing strategies, for NASA’s SLS (Area Launch System) rockets that can energy future lunar missions, starting with Artemis V.

“The conclusion of the certification check sequence at NASA Stennis is just the start for the subsequent era of RS-25 engines that can assist energy human spaceflight for Artemis,” stated Johnny Heflin, SLS liquid engines supervisor. “The newly produced engines on future SLS rockets will keep the excessive reliability and protected flight operational legacy the RS-25 is thought for whereas enabling extra reasonably priced high-performance engines for the subsequent period of deep space exploration.”

By Artemis, NASA will set up the inspiration for long-term scientific exploration on the moon; land the primary lady, first particular person of coloration, and first worldwide associate astronaut on the lunar floor; and put together for human expeditions to Mars for the advantage of all.

Contributing to that effort, the NASA Stennis check staff carried out a full-duration, 500-second sizzling hearth to finish the 12-test sequence on developmental engine E0525, offering important efficiency knowledge for the ultimate RS-25 design certification evaluate. The April 3 sizzling hearth accomplished a check sequence that started in October 2023.

RS-25 engines are advanced space shuttle fundamental engines, upgraded with new parts to provide the extra energy wanted to assist launch NASA’s SLS rocket. The primary 4 Artemis missions are utilizing modified space shuttle fundamental engines additionally examined at NASA Stennis. For every Artemis mission, 4 RS-25 engines, together with a pair of strong rocket boosters, energy the SLS rocket, producing greater than 8.8 million kilos of total mixed thrust at liftoff.

“This was a important check sequence, and credit score goes to all the check staff for his or her dedication and distinctive abilities that allowed us to satisfy the schedule and supply the wanted efficiency knowledge,” stated Chip Ellis, challenge supervisor for RS-25 testing at NASA Stennis. “The exams carried out at NASA Stennis assist guarantee the security of our astronauts and their future mission success. We’re proud to be a part of the Artemis mission.”

The E0525 developmental engine featured new key parts—together with a nozzle, hydraulic actuators, flex ducts, and turbopumps—that matched design options of these used throughout an preliminary certification check sequence accomplished at NASA Stennis final summer time.

The 2 certification check sequence helped confirm the brand new engine parts meet all Artemis flight necessities shifting ahead. Aerojet Rocketdyne is utilizing strategies akin to 3D printing to provide new RS-25 engines extra effectively, whereas sustaining excessive efficiency and reliability. NASA has awarded the corporate contracts to supply 24 new engines, supporting SLS launches for Artemis V by way of Artemis IX.

“Efficiently finishing this rigorous check sequence is a testomony to the excellent work finished by the staff to design, implement and check this upgraded model of the RS-25 that reduces the price by 30% from the space shuttle program,” stated Mike Lauer, RS-25 program director at Aerojet Rocketdyne. “We examined the brand new RS-25 engines to the intense limits of operation to make sure the engines can function at a better energy degree wanted for SLS and full the mission with margin.”

All RS-25 engines are examined and confirmed flightworthy at NASA Stennis prior to make use of on Artemis missions. RS-25 exams on the heart are carried out by a various staff of operators from NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Syncom Area Companies, prime contractor for web site services and operations.