Facility Capabilities

Component/Engine Test Facility

The E-3 Test Facility is a versatile test complex available for component development testing of combustion devices, rocket engine components, and small/subscale complete engines and boosters.  The facility has two test cells, which have the capacity to deliver propellants at low and medium pressures up to 3000 psi.  The two cells are capable of providing hydrocarbon, liquid oxygen (LOX), gaseous oxygen (GOX), gaseous hydrogen (GH), isopropyl alcohol (IPA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) fuels and oxidizers, and liquid nitrogen (LN), gaseous nitrogen (GN), and gaseous helium (GHe) inert support fluids.  Both cells are also capable of measuring thrust from 10,000 to 25,000 pounds. 

Cell 1 is primarily designed for horizontal testing of thrust loads up to 60,000 pounds.

Cell 2 can perform either horizontal or vertical testing of thrust loads up to 25,000 pounds.

Altitude: Ambient

Past Propulsion Test Activities:

• White Sands Test Facility Subscale Diffuser Testing (2015)
• NASA SLS (Space Launch System) A‐1 Subscale Diffuser Testing for RS‐25 Engine (2014‐2015)
• Geopolymer Material Testing – Test Technology Program with Louisiana Tech University (2013)
• NASA Constellation Program A‐3 Subscale Diffuser Testing for J‐ 2X Engine (2007‐2009)
• NASA Methane Thruster Testbed Project (2006)
• Lockheed‐Martin Michoud Space Systems Hybrid Material Test Program (2005)
• Lockheed‐Martin Michoud Space Systems Hybrid Test Technology Program (2004)
• HYSR 60K Motor (Hybrid Sounding Rocket)
• Advanced Catalyst Bed Testing (Boeing/Pratt Whitney)
• AR2-3 Engine (NASA/Boeing for X-37 Demonstrator Vehicle)
• H202/JP8 Hypergolic Injector (Boeing Engine Technology Project)
• HMTP – Hyrbrid Materials and Gas Generator Test Project
• MTTP – Methane Thruster Testbed Program