New Round Of J-2X Testing

[Waspie_Dwarf]

NASA Set for New Round Of J-2X Testing at Stennis Space Center

Feb. 11, 2013

Rachel Kraft

Headquarters, Washington

202-358-1100

rachel.h.kraft@nasa.gov

Rebecca Strecker

Stennis Space Center, Miss.

228-688-3249

rebecca.a.strecker@nasa.gov

Kim Henry

Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.

256-544-0034

kimberly.h.henry@nasa.gov

RELEASE : 13-047

NASA Set for New Round Of J-2X Testing at Stennis Space Center

BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. -- NASA's progress toward a return to deep space missions continues with a new round of upcoming tests on the next-generation J-2X rocket engine, which will help power the agency's Space Launch System (SLS) to new destinations in the solar system.

Beginning this month, engineers will conduct a series of tests on the second J-2X development engine, designated number 10002, on the A-2 Test Stand at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Once the series is completed, the engine will be transferred to the A-1 Test Stand to undergo a series of gimbal, or pivot, tests for the first time.

"The upcoming test series is not only a critical step forward, but important to the Stennis test team, as well," said Gary Benton, manager of the J-2X test project at Stennis. "This test series will help us increase our knowledge of the J-2X and its performance capabilities. In addition, the series will help us maintain the high skill level of our team as we look ahead to continued J-2X testing and testing of the RS-25 engines that will be used to power the SLS first-stage."

The first objective of the testing is to verify and demonstrate the engine's capability. Data from what is known as hot-fire engine tests will be compared to the performance of the first engine. Engineers also will vary liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen inlet pressures and subject the engine nozzle to higher temperatures than in previous tests to see what effect they have on performance.

NASA already has conducted successful tests on engine number 10001 and on the J-2X powerpack assembly. In total, 34 tests were conducted on the J-2X engine and powerpack, with the J-2X achieving a full flight-duration firing of 500 seconds in the eighth test, earlier than any rocket engine in U.S. history.

The engine is being designed and built by NASA and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne of Canoga Park, Calif., to power the upper stage of the 130 metric-ton (143-ton) version of the SLS rocket.

The SLS will launch NASA's Orion spacecraft and other payloads from the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, providing an entirely new capability for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.

For more information about the J-2X engine and NASA's Space Launch System, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/sls

For information about Stennis, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/stennis

- end -

___________________________

Source

Edited February 28, 2014 by Waspie_Dwarf
corrected tags.

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Start Me Up!

NASA engineers conducted the first in a new round of tests on the next-generation J-2X rocket engine Feb. 15 at Stennis Space Center. The 35-second test continued progress in development of the engine that will provide upper-stage power for NASA's new Space Launch System, which will enable missions farther into space than ever. The SLS Program is managed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The new round of tests on J-2X engine number 10002 on the A-2 Test Stand at Stennis will provide critical performance data for the engine. Once the series is completed, the engine will be transferred to the A-1 Test Stand at Stennis 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 & Whitney Rocketdyne of Canoga Park, Calif.

Credit: NASA/SSC

Source: NASA - Multimedia

[Waspie_Dwarf]

J-2X Engine 'Goes the Distance' at Stennis

J-2X rocket engine testing continues at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi with the second in a series of tests conducted on Feb. 27. The 550-second, full-duration test provided critical information on the combustion stability of the engine and on its performance with the nozzle extension. Engineers also continued evaluation of the test stand's clamshell configuration, as well as calibration of the facility's cryogenic flow meters. J-2X engine testing allows engineers to collect additional data on the next-generation engine that will provide upper-stage power for the new Space Launch System (SLS) under development. NASA's new SLS rocket is being developed to enable missions farther into space than ever. The SLS Program is managed by the NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. Following this series of tests on the A-2 Test Stand, Engine No. 10002 will be transferred to the site's A-1 stand to undergo 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 four decades. It is being designed and built for NASA by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne of Canoga Park, Calif.

Credit: NASA/SSC

Source: NASA - Multimedia