NASA plans to launch ‘most powerful’ rocket as early as January 17th

NASA (NASA) is conducting a preliminary test run (Green Run) heat test of its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and plans to release this ‘most powerful’ rocket as early as January 17th.

SLS is the strongest rocket improved by NASA since its establishment. It will give support for the ‘Artemis’ return to the moon program and can deliver payloads of up to 27 tons (27000 kg) to the moon.

In its eight-part test, NASA started the SLS core-level liquid fuel engine without a solid fuel booster ignition. Julie Bassler, SLS manager of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, said: During the preliminary test run of our wetsuit rehearsal, the core stage, controller, and test software all worked perfectly.

When the fuel tank was completely loaded and approximately Two hours later, there was no leakage. So far, all the test data has given us the confidence to continue the test.

In the test, all four RS-25 engines in the core stage were started simultaneously for at least 8 minutes. NASA notified: The SLS core stage will be assembled including other components of the rocket and NASA Orion spacecraft to prepare for the test flight called Artemis I.

This is the first combined flight of SLS and Orion and the first time for NASA’s lunar program. task. Barry Robinson, the project manager for the initial commissioning test of the SLS core stage, said that the next few days will be crucial for NASA as the team will prepare the Artemis I rocket stage and B-2 tests at the Stennis Space Center station.

NASA stated that testing the core stage of the SLS rocket is a joint effort of the agency and industry partners. Boeing is the prime contractor for NASA’s rocket core stage, and Aerojet Rocketdyne is the prime contractor for the RS-25 engine. In previous tests, NASA evaluated SLS’s avionics, propulsion, and hydraulic systems.

(Source)