This rocket will take humans farther and faster into the Solar System than we have ever traveled and increase our capability of making exciting new discoveries by launching large astronomical observatories and other scientific missions.
“It is always a good day at NASA and Aerojet Rocketdyne when you feel the rumble of the Earth as the RS-25 engine comes to life,” said Drake. “This test is the first test of the new controller on a flight engine, demonstrating true adaptability and continuation of technology insertions for this workhorse engine.”
While testing of the new controller for the ES-25 was the primary objective, several other objectives were also completed. In conditions similar to what the hardware will experience in flight, Aerojet Rocketdyne tested the calibration of engine and facility flow meters and the operation of a rebuilt high-pressure fuel pump.
While this RS-25 engine is the first flight article to undergo testing, Aerojet Rocketdyne racked up over 3,700 seconds of engine firing time last year. Those tests involved the first RS-25 development engine. Testing of these engines is critical as they are exposed to extreme conditions during the flight profile. Pressures inside the engine can exceed 7,000 pounds per square inch (492.15 kg/cm 2). Beyond that, the engine must operate with temperature swings from –423 °F (–252 °C) to over 6,000 °F (3,315 °C).
Engine E-2059 is scheduled to be used on the second flight of the SLS in the bottom core stage. That flight is currently scheduled for 2021. Additional engines, slated for testing from now through 2017, will be used for the 2018 inaugural Exploration Mission-1 launch
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