B-1 Test Stand
Test Facility Capabilities
Large, Ambient Engine Test Facility (2 Positions, B‐1a and B‐1b)
The B Test Complex consists of a dual-position; vertical, static-firing test stand designated as the B-1/B-2 test stand. Each test position is capable of static-firing test articles up to 33 feet diameter. The B-1/B-2 Test Stand is equipped with a 195-ton, main derrick lifting crane, with a 20-ton jib crane. The B-1 test position was configured for the first stage of the Saturn V rocket but was never utilized. In the late 1980s, the B-1 position was modified for single engine testing for the Space Shuttle Main Engine program. In the late 1990s, the B-1 position was modified to test the Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-68 engine, which concluded in 2023.
Maximum Thrust: 11,000,000 pounds (original design); 750,000 pounds (current configuration)
Altitude: Ambient
Propellants: Liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen
Past Propulsion Test Activities:
- RS-68 (NASA/Boeing Delta IV main engine)
- NASA Space Shuttle Main Engine engine testing (1988‐1998)
- NASA Saturn-V S1-C first stage (1967-1970
Other NASA Stennis Test Facilities and Support Infrastructures
NASA Stennis has many unique test facilities and supporting infrastructure which provides world-class testing services.
