NASA said they achieved a key milestone yesterday, completing an initial certification test series designed to pave the way for production of new RS-25 engines to help power NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket on future Artemis missions to the Moon, beginning with Artemis V.
Engineers conducted a full-duration test of more than eight minutes (500 seconds) on an RS-25 certification engine manufactured by SLS engines lead contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne.
The engine incorporates dozens of improvements to make production more efficient and affordable while maintaining high performance and reliability.
The test series at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis is designed to verify that the new engines meet all Artemis flight requirements.
The stage is now set for a second – and final – certification series to begin in early fall. Data from the certification tests will confirm all is good to go in producing new engines for use beginning with the Artemis V mission to the Moon.
