Last night the ignition test of the four RS engines was held – 25 of the core stage of NASA SLS . Initially the test was scheduled for 23 approximately (Italian time), then brought forward to 22 and finally performed at shortly after 23. As planned, the hot fire test should have had a duration of 485 seconds but also a duration of 250 seconds would have been considered a good result. Unfortunately, not everything went as planned.

NASA SLS and the test of the four RS engines – 25

Self 250 seconds was still considered a good result (the RS engines – 25 have however been pushed to 109%), after 50 seconds from power on there was an MCF, acronym of major component failure , at about 1 minute and 9 seconds there was the start of a shutdown of engines and 1 minute and 23 seconds the test was stopped. The good news is that the security systems have worked properly preventing NASA SLS from taking more damage. But certainly was not the expected result nor the desired one.

The NASA did not the scheduled press conference, answering only a few questions sent electronically and issuing a press release. The details are still scarce but they will be fundamental to understand if the goal of launching Artemis I , the first mission (unmanned) towards the Moon of the new cycle, it can still be held in November 2021.

We remind you that the four RS engines – 25 installed on NASA SLS are those already used on the Space Shuttle (which used three at the same time). In particular we know that:

• IS2045 has well 12 flights assets
• IS2056 has 4 flights under its assets
• IS2058 has 6 flights under its assets
• IS2060 has 3 flights

From the first information it would seem that the problem has been to the thermal cover which protects part of the systems near the engine area, but damage estimates are still missing. Two engines reserves (which are those dedicated to Artemis II) are already present in Mississippi at the Stennis Space Center and this could reduce rre the replacement times (which should last at most 00 days), if needed.

To stay within the roadmap which foresees the launch in November 2021, the test must be successfully performed by February 2021. This will allow the core stage to be sent to the Kennedy Space Center for the assembly of the side boosters and the integration of the Orion capsule. This is the first hot fire test for a Artemis mission and in general for NASA SLS . The space agency itself stated that it was a “full-fledged test” , not a simple demonstration. Now all that remains is to wait for the results of the data and hardware analyzes to know if the deadlines will be met.

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