Testing before flying is critical, and NASA’s new rocket is no exception.
An essential piece of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket was recently moved into a massive test stand. Here, it will be pushed, pulled and twisted.
This piece of the rocket will provide liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen for pushing a capsule designed for humans past the moon. This will occur during the rocket’s first flight in 2018. What part is it? The interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS).
The crew capsule that SLS will launch is Orion, NASA’s multi-purpose crew vehicle designed to take humans to several deep space destinations. Orion will launch into space on top of SLS and be unmanned on this first integrated flight with the rocket. Future missions will carry humans to deep space!
The ICPS test article was recently delivered to Marshall Space Flight Center. Three more test articles will be stacked with it as well as two simulators of the rocket’s upper portion. Early next year, the tests will begin to make sure the components can handle the stresses experienced during launch.
Credits: NASA/MSFC/Brian C. Massey
Just how big is the ICPS? It’s the biggest piece of hardware being used in the test series–about 29 feet tall with a diameter of 16.8 feet. There will be about 50 test cases that will be evaluated during the series.
As progress continues to be made toward the massive rocket’s first launch, it’s an ongoing reminder of the hard work and dedication NASA shows toward future deep space missions.
Learn more about SLS at NASA.gov.