3rd Stennis hot fire & robotics

NASA’s testing for the redesigned RS-25 engines, to be used on future Space Launch System (SLS) missions, continued with a March 8 full-duration hot fire at Stennis Space Center, near Bay St. Louis, Miss. The test was the third of the year and part of an ongoing certification hot fire series. It also was the third test since an upgraded nozzle was installed on the RS-25 engine just prior to a Feb 8 hot fire. The redesigned engines provided by lead SLS engines contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne will be used on future Artemis flights to the Moon, beginning with Artemis V, as NASA continues its mission to explore the secrets of the universe for the benefit of all. Operators fired the RS-25 engine during the test for a scheduled 520 seconds and up to 113% power level. During missions to the Moon, engines fire for about 500 seconds and up to the 111% power level to help SLS lift the Orion spacecraft and other payloads to orbit. With added seconds and the increased power level during ground tests, engineers can learn more about engine performance and provide a margin of operational safety. (Stennis Space Center 03/08/23) 

STENNIS SPONSOR @ ROBOTICS COMPETITION

Organizers are preparing to host 30-plus teams for an inaugural FIRST Robotics Magnolia Regional Competition in Laurel, Miss., on March 15-18, thanks to NASA’s Stennis Space Center, a lead sponsor for the event and a driving force in its launch. NASA Stennis is joining with NASA’s Robotics Alliance Project and co-sponsor Mississippi Power to bring to life all aspects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the state. The new regional event is a critical milestone to enhance engagement with robotics programs and the K-12 community across the SE region. The regional competition is scheduled at the Magnolia Center in Laurel. It is free, open to the public, and offers students the opportunity to use STEM skills through teamwork and the excitement of competition. The competition will feature two teams from Mexico, along with more than 30 high school teams from states, including Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. It also will serve as a championship-qualifying event to send teams to the world championship competition in Houston in April. Five teams from Mississippi are participating: Team Fusion from Gulfport; Chahta Warriors from Choctaw Central; Team Chaos from Picayune Memorial; Delta Overload from Gentry High School in Indianola; and Alpha Omega from Our Lady Academy in Bay St. Louis. (Stennis 03/09/23) NASA Sponsors Inaugural Magnolia Regional FIRST Robotics Competition | NASA