NASA used a 500-second firing of a developmental RS-25 engine on Oct. 21 to assess components for future Artemis missions and evaluate new nozzle protection.
The run took place at the Fred Haise Test Stand at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. NASA says RS-25 engines fire for about 500 seconds during an SLS launch, matching the test’s duration. The run lasted eight minutes and 20 seconds.
The firing reached a 111% power level, NASA said. The agency said new-production RS-25 engines need that thrust level to carry the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft into orbit. The test also checked flight components for upcoming Artemis missions and a new system designed to shield the nozzle from the thermal environment around SLS during launch.
NASA said engine No. 10001 is developmental and will not be used in flight. Data from the test are intended to help NASA and prime contractor L3Harris Technologies improve engine performance and reliability. Operators from NASA, L3Harris and Nova Space Solutions conduct RS-25 tests at Stennis.
NASA says four RS-25 engines can generate up to 2 million pounds of combined thrust for an Artemis SLS launch. Its RS-25 reference says L3Harris is under contract to build 24 new engines, with the first new engines expected to fly on Artemis V.
NASA’s 2024 RS-25 certification summary also used a 500-second firing as a “test like you fly” benchmark. The agency has not provided a date for another RS-25 test.
