HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- The avionics system that will guide NASA's Space Launch System, the most powerful rocket ever built, has seen the light. The flight software and avionics for SLS were integrated and powered for testing Thursday at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville as part of a milestone known as first light. It enables early integration and testing of avionics and software to help NASA perfect the system and ensure the units communicate together as designed. Avionics tell the rocket where it should fly and how it should pivot its engines to stay on course. (Source: NASA, 01/09/14) Note: Stennis Space Center, Miss., tests engines for the SLS
