NASA\u2019s Space Launch System (SLS) program and Core Stage prime contractor Boeing conducted the second static firing of the new rocket stage and its four Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-25 engines. The primary goal in the repeat of the Green Run Hot-Fire test was to complete all ten of the design verification objectives (DVO); the abbreviated first test on January 16 demonstrated three of the DVOs and part of another.<\/p>\n
The static test firing in the B-2 Test Stand at the Stennis Space Center completed an eight-minute long, flight-duration test, although NASA and Boeing say they can collect enough data to complete the primary objectives somewhere around the four-minute mark. Following ignition, the engines were put through a set of circular and sinusoidal gimbaling experiments that will help demonstrate operating margins predicted by analytical models.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Second ground static fire to get data for first flight certification \u2013 Pre-test overview:<\/p>\n
The Core Stage Green Run design verification campaign is planned as a one time only chance for the SLS Program to test the vehicle under flight-like conditions on the ground, and they have invested a lot of time and resources to perform the testing. \u201cThis is a generational opportunity to learn as much as we can about the rocket while we\u2019ve got it in this test configuration before we get to fly,\u201d NASA SLS Program Manager John Honeycutt said in a February 19 pre-test briefing.<\/p>\n
T0 is targeted for a two-hour window that opens at 2 pm Central (19:00 UTC). As with a launch countdown, ignition of the RS-25 engines is set for T-6.6 seconds.<\/p>\n
Staggered start commands will be issued to the engines individually at 120 millisecond intervals; the engines will start at a 100% rated power level and then throttle up to 109% at T0.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n