NASA has completed a series of five hot-fire tests with the engine controller for the new Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift rocket, the agency announced Aug. 31.

The testing, which began in March, wrapped up Aug. 30 with a 500-second firing of an RS-25 engine and its flight controller on a test stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. The test’s duration of more than eight minutes represents the amount of time the engine and controller will be needed during an actual SLS launch.

Artist's illustration of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS). Photo: NASA.
Artist’s illustration of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS). Photo: NASA.

NASA, RS-25 prime contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne [AJRD] and Stennis prime contractor Syncom Space Services (S3) conducted the tests.

The controller will serve as the engine’s “brain” by communicating with the rocket’s flight computers to ensure the engine is performing as needed, NASA explained. SLS will be launched by four RS-25s and two solid-fuel rocket boosters.

The RS-25 is a former space shuttle main engine that has been modified to provide more power for the heavier SLS. The new flight controller is part of the engine modification.

NASA is developing SLS to carry astronauts to deep space, including Mars. The agency plans to launch the rocket for the first time in 2019 with an uncrewed Orion crew capsule.