In a major milestone for NASA\u2019s Space Launch System (SLS), all four RS-25 engines \u2013 veterans of the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) \u2013 have been installed into the core stage of the rocket that will conduct the maiden flight of NASA\u2019s new monster rocket on the Artemis-1 mission.\n<\/p>\n
SLS will use the full inventory of flight-proven Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSMEs), or RS-25Ds, before exhausting the stock and moving to the RS-25E.<\/p>\n
The RS-25E \u2013 already contracted by NASA to Aerojet Rocketdyne \u2013 will be cheaper to build as the new engines will be specifically built as expendable units, as opposed to the built-in reusability of the RS-25D.<\/p>\n
While many space fans are unhappy about the famous RS-25Ds being prepared for what will ultimately be a watery grave, SLS will benefit from the flight-proven experience of the engines for the opening missions.<\/p>\n
All nine of the last SSMEs (Space Shuttle Main Engines) to fly with the Space Shuttle performed admirably, with Discovery flying Main Engine 1 (ME-1) \u2013 serial number 2044, ME-2 \u2013 2048 and ME-3 \u2013 2058 during her final mission, STS-133.<\/p>\n
For Endeavour\u2019s swansong, ME-1 \u2013 2059, ME-2 \u2013 2061, and ME-3 \u2013 2057 helped begin the flight phase of the successful STS-134 mission, while Atlantis closed out the Space Shuttle Program, flying with engines ME-1 \u2013 2047, ME-2 \u2013 2060 and ME-3 \u2013 2045 during STS-135.<\/p>\n
Now prepared in sets of four, as opposed to flight sets of three during Shuttle, RS-25 installation tasks had to wait until the engine section was mated to the core section during processing at the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF).<\/p>\n
Once that milestone was achieved, engine installation began in mid-October with Engine 2056.<\/p>\n
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