Powering Space Dreams
As the nation’s largest multiuser propulsion test site, NASA Stennis supports and helps power both national and commercial space efforts and missions.
Chapter 1
Propulsion Test History
From the ground up, a tremendous team of workers and engineers built the nation’s premier rocket engine test site and “go-to” destination for propulsion testing.
Past, Present, Future
Since the United States sent the first humans to the Moon more than 60 years ago, NASA Stennis has answered the call to help power the nation’s space dreams.
Learn More About Propulsion Test History
From 1975 to 2009, NASA Stennis conducted 2,307 space shuttle main engine tests, accumulating 820,475.68 seconds of hot fire.
Chapter 2
Propulsion Test Infrastructure
For five decades and counting, the versatile NASA Stennis test facilities have been used to test rocket stages, engines, and components for multiple propulsion projects.
Meeting a World of Needs
Dual Purpose Testing
The Thad Cochran Test Stand (B-1/B-2) can support both single-engine and rocket stage testing.
New Heights for Testing
The A-3 Test Stand is designed to test engines at simulated attitudes up to 100,000 feet.
Enhanced Capability Testing
The E-1 Test Stand features three cells capable of ultra-high pressure engine and component testing.
Adapting with Purpose to Power Space Dreams
Workers making way for NASA Stennis did not realize they were building something that would not only withstand the test of time but transcend it.
Learn More About Propulsion Test Infrastructure
Chapter 3
Propulsion Test Team
The NASA Stennis team exhibits a proven depth and breadth of propulsion test experience and expertise.
The NASA and contractor workforce at NASA Stennis is second to none when it comes to propulsion testing. … Many of the current employees have been involved in rocket engine testing for over 30 years, and newer workers are being trained under these seasoned professionals.
Joe Schuyler
Director of the NASA Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate
Depth of Experience, Proven Expertise
Work conducted by the propulsion test team at NASA Stennis really is rocket science – and requires all the talent, knowledge, and expertise the term implies.
Learn About the Propulsion Test Team
Chapter 4
Artemis Propulsion Testing
NASA Stennis is contributing directly to Artemis missions that will return humans, including the first woman and first person of color, to the Moon.
RS-25 Testing
1st Hot Fire
An image from January 2015 shows the first test conducted of the RS-25 engine on the Fred Haise Test Stand (formerly the A-1 Test Stand) at NASA’s Stennis Space Center. Formerly a space shuttle main engine, the RS-25 engine hot fire provided critical data on the engine controller unit and inlet pressure conditions. It marked the first hot fire of an RS-25 engine since the end of space shuttle main engine testing in 2009.
Engine Installation
An image from July 2018 shows a crane lifting RS-25 developmental engine No. 0525 on the Fred Haise Test Stand (formerly the A-1 Test Stand) at NASA’s Stennis Space Center.
Certification Testing
NASA completes the fifth of 12 scheduled RS-25 engine certification tests on January 23, 2024, in a critical series for future flights of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. The test series was conducted on the Fred Haise Test Stand (formerly known as the A-1 Test Stand) at NASA’s Stennis Space Center. The series built on previous hot fire testing conducted at NASA Stennis to help certify production of new RS-25 engines by lead contractor L3 Harris (formerly known as Aerojet Rocketdyne). The new engines will help power NASA’s SLS rocket on future Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond, beginning with Artemis V.
SLS (Space Launch System) Core Stage Testing
Early Morning Installation
The first flight core stage for NASA’s powerful SLS (Space Launch System) rocket is shown at NASA’s Stennis Space Center early on the morning of Jan. 22, 2020, as crews work to install it on the B-2 side of the Thad Cochran Test Stand for the upcoming Green Run test series. The series represented the first top-to-bottom integrated testing of the stage’s systems prior to the successful Artemis I test flight.
Powerful Hot Fire
The successful hot fire of the first flight core stage of NASA’s powerful SLS (Space Launch System) rocket on the B-2 side of the Thad Cochran Test Stand on March 18, 2021, marks the most powerful test conducted at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in 40 years. Four RS-25 engines fired just as during an actual launch, generating more than 1.6 million pounds of combined thrust. The milestone moment came more than a year after the core stage arrived at NASA Stennis in January 2020. Despite a year marked by COVID-19 restrictions and a record-breaking hurricane season, teams persevered in their Green Run work.
Close-up View
An on-stand camera offers a close-up view of the four RS-25 engines, which produce a combined 1.6 million pounds of thrust, during the Green Run hot fire test of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage on the B-2 side of the Thad Cochran Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center on March 18, 2021.
Exploration Upper Stage Test Preparation
Lift and Fit
Crews at NASA’s Stennis Space Center perform a lift and fit operation of an umbilical support structure on the B-2 side of the Thad Cochran Test Stand on Oct. 3, 2023, for future testing of the agency’s new exploration upper stage that will fly on future Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond. NASA is building the upper stage to fly on the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. The unit will enable larger payloads on deep space missions. Prior to its initial flight, the upper stage will undergo a series of so-called Green Run tests to ensure all systems are ready to go.
Component Installation
NASA Stennis teams clear a milestone on Dec. 11, 2023, by lifting and installing large diffusers onto the B-2 side of the Thad Cochran Test Stand. Installing the key component comes in preparation for future Green Run testing of NASA’s new exploration upper stage vehicle for use on the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. Four large diffusers, each weighing 14 tons, were lifted by crane for installation on the test stand. The diffusers are a critical component designed to help direct engine exhaust away from the upper stage during hot fire testing at NASA Stennis to minimize heat exposure to sensitive vehicle systems.
Preparation Steps
Crews at NASA’s Stennis Space Center lift an interstage simulator – 31 feet in diameter and 176,000 pounds – onto the B-2 side of the Thad Cochran Test Stand on July 17, 2023, in preparation for future Green Run testing of the new exploration upper stage before it flies on the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket as part of NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond.
Every RS-25 engine that launches Artemis to space will be tested at NASA Stennis. We take pride in helping to power this nation’s human space exploration program.
Joe Schuyler
Director of the NASA Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate
Supporting Moon to Mars Missions
NASA Stennis is contributing directly to Artemis missions to return humans to the Moon and prepare for journeys beyond.
Learn More About Artemis Propulsion Testing
Chapter 5
Commercial Propulsion Testing
The commercial aerospace industry is growing – and NASA Stennis is positioning itself to provide support.
Ideal Location for Commercial Testing
For many aerospace companies, the path to mission success involves testing at NASA Stennis.
Learn More About Commercial Propulsion Testing
NASA Stennis is open for business as the preferred propulsion provider for aerospace companies. … Companies across the board are realizing they can achieve their desired results at NASA Stennis.
john bailey
NASA Stennis Director
To the Future
Six decades and counting, NASA Stennis stands focused and ready to support the space missions and dreams of tomorrow – and beyond.
