Friday, February 22, 2013

New round of tests begin

J-2X test Feb. 15. NASA photo
STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- NASA conducted the first in a new round of tests on the J-2X rocket engine Feb. 15 at Stennis Space Center. The 35-second test continued progress in development of the engine that will power the upper-stage of NASA's new Space Launch System. The new round of tests on J-2X engine number 10002 on the A-2 Test Stand will provide performance data. Once the series is completed, the engine will be transferred to the A-1 Test Stand at SSC to undergo a series of gimbal (or pivot) tests for the first time. The J-2X engine is the first human-rated liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen engine developed in the United States in decades. It is being designed and built by NASA and partner Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne of Canoga Park, Calif. (Source: NASA, Space Travel, 02/21/13) Previous