NASA and L3Harris Technologies have successfully test-fired the first RS-25 rocket engine slated to help power the fifth launch of the Space Launch System or SLS rocket for the Artemis Moon exploration campaign. This is the first hot-fire test of a flight version of the new RS-25 engine. The first four Artemis missions use upgraded RS-25 engines from the space shuttle program.
Kristin Houston, President, Space Propulsion and Power Systems, Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris, said, “This successful acceptance test shows that we’ve been able to replicate the RS-25’s performance and reliability, while incorporating modern manufacturing techniques and upgraded components such as the main combustion chamber, nozzle and pogo accumulator assembly. Our propulsion technology is key to ensuring the United States leads in lunar exploration, creates a sustained presence on the Moon and does not cede this strategic frontier to other nations.”
The new L3Harris RS-25 engine throttled up to 111% during the 500-second acceptance test, demonstrating more thrust than what the space shuttle engines required.
NASA awarded L3Harris a contract in 2015 to restart RS-25 engine design and production for SLS, including leveraging modern manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing. The new production engines are 30% less expensive than the space shuttle main engines and will deliver the same reliability and efficiency.
