NASA tests mega-powerful rocket booster that’s designed to power manned missions to Mars
World's strongest engine will 'advance human exploration and open new frontiers in deep space'
NASA has carried out the second test of a mega-powerful rocket designed to help humanity explore the solar system and land astronauts on the surface of Mars.
The space agency dramatically ignited the Space Launch System (SLS) yesterday in the desert near Promontory, Utah.
This pioneering engine is the most powerful booster in the world and will be used during the first mission of the Orion spacecraft in 2018.
"This final qualification test of the booster system shows real progress in the development of the Space Launch System," said William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA.
"Seeing this test today, and experiencing the sound and feel of approximately 3.6 million pounds of thrust, helps us appreciate the progress we’re making to advance human exploration and open new frontiers for science and technology missions in deep space.”
The heat inside the booster reached 6,000 degrees and it burned for two coruscating minutes.
Two of these super-powerful engines will be fitted to Orion and will provide the power to blast off from the ground and into space.
It is hoped Orion will pave the way for a manned mission to Mars.
"Today's test is the pinnacle of years of hard work by the NASA team, Orbital ATK and commercial partners across the country," said John Honeycutt, SLS Program manager at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.
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"SLS hardware is currently in production for every part of the rocket. NASA also is making progress every day on Orion and the ground systems to support a launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
"We're on track to launch SLS on its first flight test with Orion and pave the way for a human presence in deep space."
NASA first tested the mega booster in March 2015.
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