Stennis Hot-Fire2 gets 'A-plus'

NASA expects to firm up the schedule for its first Space Launch System (SLS) flight in a few weeks after a March 17’s second hot fire test at Stennis Space Center, Miss., between 3-5 p.m.  The agency is still holding November 2021 open. Acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk said it will take a few weeks to scrub the schedule and determine when SLS will be ready for an Artemis I test launch of an un-crewed Orion spacecraft around the Moon. The SLS core stage is getting ready for a second attempt at the last in a series of eight “Green Run” tests at Stennis. The first attempt on Jan. 16 ended after 67 seconds instead of 485 seconds because of the conservative test parameters. NASA TV will provide coverage. (Source: Space Policy Online 03/16/21) Jurczyk: Artemis I Schedule To Firm Up in A Few Weeks – SpacePolicyOnline.com UPDATE: NASA completed a second-time engine test firing of its moon rocket on May 18 at Stennis. The four engines remained ignited for eight minutes. Applause broke out in the control room at the Stennis Space Flight Center once the engines shut down. NASA officials called it a major milestone, but declined to say whether the first test flight without a crew would occur by year’s end. NASA’s SLS Program Manager John Honeycutt told reporters that everything seemed to go well. “The core stage … got an A-plus today.” (The AP 03/18/21) Second time charm for Mississippi test of moon shot rocket - Magnolia State Live | Magnolia State Live