By C. Lacy Thompson, NASAs Stennis Space Center
March 12, 2023
Operators fired the RS-25 engine throughout the test for a set up 520 seconds and approximately 113% power level. During missions to the Moon, engines fire for about 500 seconds and approximately the 111% power level to help SLS raise the Orion spacecraft and other payloads to orbit. With included seconds and the increased power level throughout ground tests, engineers can learn more about engine efficiency and offer a margin of functional security.
NASA carries out an RS-25 hot fire test on the Fred Haise Test Stand at NASAs Stennis Space Center in south Mississippi on March 8, 2023. Credit: NASA/Danny Nowlin
The nozzle, or bell-shaped part at the bottom of the RS-25 engine, assists produce thrust by ejecting the engines exhaust at maximum speed to propel SLS to area. It is one of multiple updated elements on the redesigned engine and likewise critical in guaranteeing effectiveness by utilizing a minimum quantity of propellants, or fuel, to generate thrust and assistance propel the rocket to space. The nozzle is one factor the RS-25 is among the most fuel-efficient rocket engines on the planet.
Throughout the storied history of the RS-25 engine, many parts have actually gone through changes or upgrades. One part that mainly went the same was the nozzle.
NASA carries out an RS-25 hot fire test on the Fred Haise Test Stand at NASAs Stennis Space Center in south Mississippi on March 8, 2023. Credit: NASA/Danny Nowlin
For revamped RS-25 engines, however, a group focused on re-engineering every part of the nozzle. The group also is utilizing 3D printing to produce selected nozzle parts.
Upgrades to the nozzle include a new type and amount of insulation, which is a vital factor to consider because the RS-25 engines are exposed to more heat during SLS launches than previous space shuttle bus objectives. SLS functions 4 RS-25 engines rather of the three main engines utilized for the space shuttle and the proximity of the RS-25 nozzle to the SLS strong rocket boosters is closer than on the area shuttle bus.
An installed field cam offers a close-up deem NASA performs an RS-25 hot fire test on the Fred Haise Test Stand at NASAs Stennis Space Center in south Mississippi on March 8, 2023. Credit: NASA/Stennis
The objective of the upgrades is to streamline the nozzle production process, while making it more affordable and still attaining the exact same performance level similar to previous RS-25 engines. While new manufacturing approaches have been included into the production of the nozzle, the size, length, and shape remain the same.
Sixteen main engines remained from the shuttle program. All were modified and evaluated at NASA Stennis for use on the first four Artemis missions.
NASA conducts an RS-25 hot fire test on the Fred Haise Test Stand at NASAs Stennis Space Center in south Mississippi on March 8, 2023. Credit: NASA/Danny Nowlin
NASAs screening for revamped RS-25 engines to be utilized on future Space Launch System (SLS) objectives continued with a March 8 full-duration hot fire at NASAs Stennis Space Center, near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
The test, conducted on the Fred Haise Test Stand at NASAs Stennis Space Center, was the third of the year and part of an ongoing certification hot fire series. It likewise was the 3rd test considering that an updated nozzle was set up on the RS-25 engine simply prior to a February 8 hot fire. The upgraded engines provided by lead SLS engines professional Aerojet Rocketdyne will be used on future Artemis flights to the Moon, starting with Artemis V, as NASA continues its objective to explore the tricks of deep space for the advantage of all.
An installed field video camera provides a close-up consider as NASA performs an RS-25 hot fire test on the Fred Haise Test Stand at NASAs Stennis Space Center in south Mississippi on March 8, 2023. Credit: NASA/Stennis
” Early signs are that the nozzle is working well,” stated Mike Lauer, deputy program supervisor of RS-25 engines at Aerojet Rocketdyne. “Even though we altered producing methods, we did not wish to radically alter the performance of the nozzle. We are really pleased that the nozzle seems performing very much in line with our previous history.”
It also was the 3rd test because an upgraded nozzle was set up on the RS-25 engine just prior to a February 8 hot fire. The upgraded engines supplied by lead SLS engines contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne will be used on future Artemis flights to the Moon, starting with Artemis V, as NASA continues its mission to explore the secrets of the universe for the advantage of all.
Operators fired the RS-25 engine during the test for a scheduled 520 seconds and up to 113% power level. The nozzle, or bell-shaped part at the bottom of the RS-25 engine, helps generate thrust by ejecting the engines exhaust at maximum speed to propel SLS to space. The nozzle is one factor the RS-25 is one of the most fuel-efficient rocket engines in the world.