Test Stands
The Engineering & Science Directorate (ESD) at SSC operates and maintains SSC's rocket test stands.
- A-1
- The A-1 test stand was originally designed to test the Apollo Saturn V Second Stage (S-II). It supports a maximum dynamic load of 1.7 M lbf.
- A-2
- The A-2 test stand is used for J-2X Engine testing. It supports a maximum dynamic load of 1.1 M lbf.
- A-3
- NASA has begun construction of the new A-3 test stand at SSC. The A-3 stand will be used for testing J-2X engines under vacuum conditions simulating high altitude operation. A-3 will also be operable as a sea-level test facility.
- B-1/B-2
- The B-1/B-2 test stand is a dual-position stand supporting a maximum dynamic load of 11M lbf. It was originally built to simultaneously test the five F-1 engines of a complete Saturn-V S1-C first stage. During the shuttle era it was modified to test the Space Shuttle Main Engine(SSME). It is currently used for Delta IV rocket engine testing.
- E-Complex
- The E-Complex supports testing of small engine and single/multiple components.
-
Shuttle main engine test in the A-1 Test Stand.
-
Construction of the A-2 Test Stand.
-
A-3 test stand under construction in March 2011.
-
Test firing of a Space Shuttle main engine in the A-1 Test Stand.
-
Installation of a 35,000-gallon liquid oxygen tank atop the A-3 Test Stand.
Read more about this topic: John C. Stennis Space Center
Famous quotes containing the words test and/or stands:
“The test of a given phrase would be: Is it worthy to be immortal? To “make a beeline” for something. That’s worthy of being immortal and is immortal in English idiom. “I guess I’ll split” is not going to be immortal and is excludable, therefore excluded.”
—Robert Fitzgerald (1910–1985)
“We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end; which stands related to all things; which is the mean of many extremes.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)