NASA engineers test engine for world’s most powerful rocket
NASA has been testing its new toy — the engine of the world’s most powerful rocket — that will one day play a major role in getting us to Mars.
NASA engineers have tested the RS-25 rocket engine, which will play a crucial role in an eventual missions to Mars.
The test at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi is the latest in a series of RS-25 firings.
The forthcoming Space Launch System (SLS) rocket will be powered by four R2-25 engines firing simultaneously. The RS-25s will provide 2 million pounds of thrust, according to NASA and will work in conjunction with a pair of solid rocket boosters, which provide an additional 6.8 million pounds of thrust.
LIVE NOW: We’re testing one of our RS-25 Engines that will power @NASA_SLS rocket to space. Watch the fire & smoke: https://t.co/mzKW5uV4hS pic.twitter.com/PPkXSmrpCI
— NASA (@NASA) July 25, 2017
The first unmanned flight of the heavy-lift SLS — a trip around the moon — was scheduled for 2018, but was recently pushed back to 2019, according to reports.
A crewed mission was expected to take place in 2021, but it has also been pushed back. NASA said there will be a minimum of 33 months between the unmanned and crewed missions.
NASA plans to harness SLS to achieve its long-term goal of sending a manned mission to Mars by 2035.
Former Space Shuttle main engines, the RS-25s are modified to meet the demands of SLS with a new controller. “The controller is the key modification to the engines,” explained NASA, in a statement. “The component is often cited as the RS-25 ‘brain’ that allows communication between the engine and the rocket.”
Aerojet Rocketdyne is the RS-25 primary contractor, with Honeywell serving as subcontractor.
