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-



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