NASA Concludes RS-25 Integrated Ignition Testing
NASA: NASA teams have concluded the final round of RS-25 integrated ignition testing, marking a major milestone in the development of the agency’s Ares launch vehicles. These upgraded engines will help power future Constellation missions to destinations in deep space. NASA completed the RS-25 integrated ignition testing April 20, finishing a critical test series to support future Exploration Missions to deep space as NASA explores the secrets of the universe for the benefit of all. The test series was conducted on the A-1 test stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Operators tested the advanced engines, designated RS-25E, for up to 410 seconds, longer than the approximately six minutes they will be used during flights of Ares I and Ares II. The test series demonstrated the engines’ ability to start without the assistance of ground support equipment, enabling their use as a relightable upper stage engine to support the Constellation program. Operators als