NASA Stennis Space Center

Stennis Space Center has installed four large thrust diffusers in preparation for Green Run testing of the Block IB Exploration Upper Stage Artemis upgrade.

NASA has conducted the first of 12 ground-test firings to certify the upgraded Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-25 engine for the Space Launch System rocket.

Rolls-Royce is poised to begin a third phase of ground tests with a pair of dual-podded F130 turbofans for the U.S. Air Force’s B-52J re-engining program.

The rocket-engine-maker mulls next-gen propulsion plans as certification tests of the new-build RS-25 reach the halfway point.

The first all-new RS-25 built in over 15 years incorporates improvements Aerojet introduced into the refurbished former space shuttle RS-25s for SLS flights.

NASA has delayed the planned Feb. 25 full-duration hot fire of the Space Launch System (SLS) core stage due to a faulty valve in the system that supplies liquid oxygen to one of the vehicle’s four Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-25 engines.

NASA did not immediately say why the hot fire was cut off about 67 sec. after ignition.