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Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Note: The following article is part of a series highlighting propulsion testing at NASA\u2019s Stennis Space Center. To access the entire series, please visit: https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/propulsion-powering-space-dreams\/<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n The future is now at NASA\u2019s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi \u2013 at least when it comes to helping power the next great era of human space exploration.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n NASA Stennis is contributing directly to the agency\u2019s effort to land the first woman, the first person of color, and its first international partner astronaut on the Moon \u2013 for the benefit of all humanity. Work at the nation\u2019s largest \u2013 and premier \u2013 propulsion test site will help power SLS (Space Launch System) rockets on future Artemis missions to enable long-term lunar exploration and prepare for the next giant leap of sending the first astronauts to Mars.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe play a critical role to ensure the safety of astronauts on future Artemis missions,\u201d NASA Stennis Space Center Director John Bailey said. \u201cOur dedicated workforce is excited and proud to be part of NASA\u2019s return to the Moon.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n NASA Stennis achieved an RS-25 testing milestone<\/a> in April at the Fred Haise Test Stand. Completion of the successful RS-25 certification series provided critical data for L3Harris (formerly known as Aerojet Rocketdyne) to produce new RS-25 engines, using modern processes and manufacturing techniques. The engines will help power SLS rockets beginning with Artemis V.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n The first four Artemis missions are using modified space shuttle main engines also tested at NASA Stennis. For each Artemis mission, four RS-25 engines, along with a pair of solid rocket boosters, power the SLS rocket to produce more than 8.8 million pounds of total combined thrust at liftoff.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n NASA\u2019s powerful SLS rocket is the only rocket that can send the Orion spacecraft, astronauts, and cargo to the Moon on a single mission.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n Following key test infrastructure upgrades<\/a> near the Fred Haise Test Stand, NASA Stennis will be ready for more RS-25 engine testing. NASA has awarded L3Harris contracts to provide 24 new engines, supporting SLS launches for Artemis V through Artemis IX.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cEvery RS-25 engine that launches Artemis to space will be tested at NASA Stennis,\u201d said Joe Schuyler, director of the NASA Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate. \u201cWe take pride in helping to power this nation\u2019s human space exploration program. We also take great care in testing these engines because they are launching astronauts to space. We always have safety in mind.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition to RS-25 testing, preparations are ongoing at the Thad Cochran Test Stand (B-2) for future testing of the agency\u2019s new exploration upper stage. The more powerful SLS second stage, which will send astronauts and cargo to deep space aboard the Orion spacecraft, is being built at NASA\u2019s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n Before its first flight, the NASA Stennis test team will conduct a series of Green Run tests on the new stage\u2019s integrated systems to demonstrate it is ready to fly. Crews completed installation of a key component for testing the upper stage in October. The lift and installation of the 103-ton interstage simulator component, measuring 31 feet in diameter and 33 feet tall, provided crews best practices for moving and handling the actual flight hardware when it arrives to NASA Stennis.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n The exploration upper stage Green Run test series will culminate with a hot fire of the stage\u2019s four RL10 engines, made by L3Harris, the lead SLS engines contractor.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAll of Mississippi shares in our return to the Moon with the next great era of human space exploration going through NASA Stennis,\u201d Bailey said. \u201cTogether, we can be proud of the state\u2019s contributions to NASA\u2019s great mission.\u201d\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n For information about NASA\u2019s Stennis Space Center, visit:\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n Stennis Space Center \u2013 NASA<\/a>\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Stennis](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ssc-20200122-s00091h.jpg?w=1365\")
<\/a><\/figure>![\"Astronauts](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ssc-20210318-s00136h.jpg?w=1371\")
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