First RS-25 engine test of 2022

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA conducted its first RS-25 engine hot fire test of the new year Jan. 19 here on the Fred Haise Test Stand. The test was the second hot fire in the latest series that began in mid-December. Each test in the series is providing data to NASA's lead contractor, Aerojet Rocketdyne, on a variety of new engine components manufactured with state-of-the-art fabrication techniques as the company begins production of new RS-25 engines. These engines will help power the agency's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket on future deep-space missions. During launch, four RS-25 engines will power the SLS, generating a combined 2 million pounds of thrust during ascent. The RS-25 engines for the first four SLS flights are upgraded space shuttle main engines and have completed certification testing. NASA will use the data from this test to enhance production of new RS-25 engines and components for use on subsequent SLS missions. The testing is part of NASA's and Aerojet Rocketdyne's effort to use advanced manufacturing methods to reduce the cost and time needed to build new engines. (Source: NASA/SSC, 01/19/22)

Stennis expects active 2022: As the new year begins, seven of the nine test stands at Stennis Space Center (SSC) are being used for testing. Four stands are being operated by NASA directly, one is under a Reimbursable Space Act Agreement with Aerojet Rocketdyne, and two have been turned over to Relativity Space Inc. for operation under a Commercial Space Launch Act. The outlook for 2022 activity is a carry-over from 2021, when rocket engine testing featured 11 test campaigns, including seven NASA-led projects, on eight test stands. The year’s activity totaled 434 tests and 7,341 seconds of cumulative firing time. On the commercial front, SSC partnered with seven companies on rocket engine and component testing projects during the recent year – Aerojet Rocketdyne, Relativity Space, Virgin Orbit, Blue Origin, Ursa Major, Launcher, and Firehawk. Aerojet Rocketdyne conducted the final scheduled RS-68 hot fire acceptance test on the B-1 Test Stand in April. However, several of the other companies are continuing testing projects into 2022. There also is the possibility of participating in partnerships with additional companies in the new year. (Source: NASA/SSC, 01/18/22)