Posted on 07/18/2015 5:06:06 PM PDT by BBell
In auto racing parlance, NASA engineers put the "pedal to the metal" during a July 17 test of its Space Launch System (SLS) RS-25 rocket engine at Stennis Space Center.
During a 535-second test, operators ran the RS-25 through a series of power levels, including a period of firing at 109 percent of the engine's rated power. Data collected on performance of the engine at the various power levels will aid in adapting the former space shuttle engines to the new SLS vehicle mission requirements, including development of an all-new engine controller and software. Four RS-25 engines will use the added performance to help power the SLS core stage during launch.
The SLS is being developed to carry humans deeper into space than ever before, to such destinations as an asteroid and Mars. When fully developed, the heavy-lift version of the spacecraft will be the largest, most powerful rocket ever built.
(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
Stennis Space Center tested its Space Launch System on July 17, 2015. During a 535-second test, operators ran the RS-25 through a series of power levels, including a period of firing at 109 percent of the engine's rated power. Data collected on performance of the engine at the various power levels will aid in adapting the former space shuttle engines to the new SLS vehicle mission requirements, including development of an all-new engine controller and software. Four RS-25 engines will use the added performance to help power the SLS core stage during launch. (Photo submitted the the Stennis Space Center). (Photo submitted by the Stennis S)
When fully developed, the heavy-lift version of the spacecraft will be the largest, most powerful rocket ever built.
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That got my attention.
Is America’s space program rebuilding?
Been in the works for some time. Part of GWB’s mission to Mars that was renamed instead of cut, IIRC.
Slowly. There is a lot going on at Stennis.
I am still trying to figure out why we don’t have a laser launch system by now.
More than the Saturn Vs, five F1 engines that produced a combined Seven Million pounds of thrust?
It will be used to launch the Orion capsule on at least the EM1 and EM2 missions.
4 RS-25s + 2 solid rocket boosters will combine for over 9 million pounds of thrust. The two boosters alone will contribute 7.2 million pounds of thrust.
Interesting.
Test flight of EM1 at the end of 2018, with 2021 set as a return to American manned space flights.
Thanks. Very interesting.
I bet CST100 and Dragon both beat that date.
That got my attention.
Is Americas space program rebuilding?
...
These are leftover Shuttle engines. They’ve been improved some, but it’s 1970’s technology.
More than the Saturn Vs, five F1 engines that produced a combined Seven Million pounds of thrust?
...
One of these old Shuttle engines has less than one third the sea level thrust of an F-1.
For crying out loud.
What is happening with America? We are sending our manufacturing to China, our businesses all around the globe, and we’re no longer in space.
Whose idea was this, and why is everyone selling out our very own futures?
Why are we still working with 1970’s technology?
WTF?
Different mission, different goals. SLS is to go beyond LEO, not resupply the ISS.
There’s nothing wrong with the tech, that is why they are still using it. Building a new engine from scratch is not an easy thing.
Sorry I think maybe I got carried away there.
No problem. But one of the reasons it is being reused is that to qualify an engine for manned flight is far more onerous than for cargo.
Well it’s good we’re building up our space program once again. It has been a very long time.
It sure seems however, we could work on a new delivery system while this is under way.
You know, using technology from this century.
I am all for America re-emphasizing our leadership in this regard.
Soon.
Were Iranian officials on hand for this test of their future hardware/tech?
I am still trying to figure out why we don’t have Sharks with frickin Lasers beams Attached to Their Heads.
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