Fri, Apr 26, 2013
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Completes J-2X Hot Fire Testing
The last in a series of hot-fire tests on a J-2X engine with a stub-nozzle extension at simulated altitude conditions has been completed by Pratt &Whitney Rocketdyne. This latest chapter in the development of America's next rocket engine paves the way toward full-motion testing of the J-2X engine, which is designed to power humans to Mars. NASA has selected the J-2X as the upper-stage propulsion for the evolved 143-ton Space Launch System (SLS), an advanced heavy-lift launch vehicle.
"This test series with the stub-nozzle extension was very successful," said Walt Janowski, J-2X program manager, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. "We completed all the objectives we set out to accomplish, and acquired important information to help us better understand how the engine will perform during flight – from thrust, hardware durability and combustion stability. We look forward to continuing to work with NASA to provide a safe, reliable transportation system to explore new destinations in space."
In the latest series of tests with the stub-nozzle extension, J-2X Engine 10002 was tested six times for a total of 2,156 seconds on the A-2 test stand at John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. The stub-nozzle extension allows engineers to test the engine in near-vacuum conditions, similar to what it will experience in the extreme environment of space. The next step is to move the engine to the A-1 test stand, where it will be fired to test the range of gimbal motion for its flexible parts. Engine 10002 is the second J-2X development engine built by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne for NASA.
The first J-2X engine, Engine 10001, was tested a total of 21 times for more than 45 minutes last year. The J-2X powerpack, which consists of components on top of the engine, was tested separately 13 times for a total of more than 100 minutes at Stennis Space Center. The engines and powerpack were fired at varying pressures, temperatures and flow rates to ensure the engine is ready to support exploration beyond low-Earth orbit, Mars and beyond.
(Images provided by NASA)
More News
Aero Linx: International Business Aviation Council Ltd IBAC promotes the growth of business aviation, benefiting all sectors of the industry and all regions of the world. As a non->[...]
"During the annual inspection of the B-24 “Diamond Lil” this off-season, we made the determination that 'Lil' needs some new feathers. Due to weathering, the cloth-cove>[...]
Also: Bushcat Woes, Hummingbird 300 SL 4-Seat Heli Kit, Carbon Cub UL The newest Junkers is a faithful recreation that mates a 7-cylinder Verner radial engine to the airframe offer>[...]
Also: Seaplane Pilots Association, Rotax 916’s First Year, Gene Conrad After a decade and a half of struggling with the FAA and other aero-politics, G100UL is in production a>[...]
Also: Martha King Scholarship, Montaer Grows, Textron Updates Pistons, FlySto The FAA is hiring thousands of air traffic controllers, but the window to apply will only be open for >[...]