SLS: Nasa's 'megarocket' engine test ends early
Source: BBC
SLS: Nasa's 'megarocket' engine test ends early
By Paul Rincon
Science editor, BBC News website
16 January 2021
A critical engine test for Nasa's new "megarocket" - the Space Launch System (SLS) - has ended early.
Shortly before 22:30 GMT (17:30 EST), the four engines ignited with a flash, burning for more than a minute before the test was aborted.
The core stage of the SLS was being tested at Stennis Space Center, near Bay St Louis, Mississippi.
The engines were supposed to fire for eight minutes to simulate the rocket's climb to orbit.
Reacting to the early shut down, Nasa engineer Alex Cagnola said: "Obviously, we had a very successful initiation of the engines, the beginning of our thrust profile when we were firing for the first minute or so, we were getting some really good data coming through.
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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-54583588
The engines fired for more than two minutes before being shut off (NASA)