SSC: Longest RS-25 engine hot fire

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA carried out a 720-second critical hot fire of the redesigned RS-25 engine here April 26 demonstrating the gimbaling capabilities needed to stabilize a rocket during a launch and flight into space. It was the first gimbal test of the current RS-25 engine certification series. The certification series is supporting lead engine contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne as it prepares to produce additional RS-25 engines for future Space Launch System (SLS) flights. The new production includes engines for future Artemis missions to the Moon to establish a long-term presence for scientific discovery and to prepare for human space missions to Mars. During the 12-minute hot fire, operators gimbaled the RS-25 engine using a NASA Stennis-developed system to enable pivoting of the engine, mirroring maneuvers needed during launch and flight of the rocket. The hot fire marks the longest-duration test of an RS-25 certification engine. (Stennis Space Center 04/26/23) NASA Tests Critical In-Flight Capability During RS-25 Engine Hot Fire | NASA 

Note: Gimbaling is the technique of swiveling an engine a few degrees along a tight circular axis to direct engine thrust and “steer” a rocket on a proper trajectory. It also plays a vital role to ensure the rocket maintains stability during flight to space.