|
Thermal/Vacuum
Testing of J–2X Engine
As part of the J–2X engine test program for Ares
V Earth Departure Stage (EDS) application, Glenn’s Plum Brook Station
B–2 facility will
be modified to perform thermal/vacuum ignition testing. Engine
start and restart in conditions equivalent to the Earth Departure
Stage environment will be verified in the test.
Plum Brook’s unique capability to hot fire test an engine at
simulated altitude temperatures and pressures will help validate
the J–2X engine’s ability to perform in space. The B-2,
Spacecraft Propulsion Test Facility was constructed originally to conduct
engine and stage testing. It was previously utilized for thermal
/ vacuum testing of the Centaur RL-10 engine, Centaur Upper Stage and
the Delta 3 Upper Stage (shown).
|
|
Delta 3 Upper Stage Engine in the B-2 Facility |
Contact at NASA Glenn Research Center
Manager, Ares I Upper Stage Engine: Claudia
M. Meyer
Space Flight Systems Directorate
/ Launch Systems Project Office
216-977-7511
|
|
|
|
Upper stage J-2x engine |
|
|
J-2x engine testing
in B-2 Test Facility at Plum Brook Station |
|
|
Test Facility at PlumBrook
Station |
|
|