{"id":220032,"date":"2025-05-19T23:51:39","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T13:51:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=861328"},"modified":"2025-05-19T23:51:39","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T13:51:39","slug":"a-defining-era-nasa-stennis-and-space-shuttle-main-engine-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=220032","title":{"rendered":"A Defining Era: NASA Stennis and Space Shuttle Main Engine Testing"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-article-hero-header nasa-gb-align-full bg-carbon-90 width-full maxw-full color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-article-hero-header\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full maxw-full minh-tablet grid-container minh-tablet flex-column padding-0\">\n<div class=\"hds-foreground-wrapper display-flex flex-direction-column\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block margin-top-auto width-full maxw-desktop-lg padding-y-9 padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-3 z-400\">\n<div class=\"z-400 grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-7 z-400\">\n<div class=\"margin-0\">\n<div class=\"label color-spacesuit-white margin-bottom-2\">6 Min Read<\/div>\n<h1 class=\"heading-41 line-height-md color-spacesuit-white-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA Defining Era: NASA Stennis and Space Shuttle Main Engine Testing\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-left mobile-skrim-top z-200\"><\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"865\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-2005-02980h-799b27-e1746731315465.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"artful photo of test stand during engine test with an overlay of space shuttle\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 56% 2%; object-position: 56% 2%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-y-3 padding-x-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The numbers are notable \u2013 34 years of testing space shuttle main engines at NASA\u2019s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, 3,244 individual tests, more than 820,000 seconds (totaling more than nine days) of cumulative hot fire.<\/p>\n<p>The story behind the numbers is unforgettable.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is hard to describe the full impact of the space shuttle main engine test campaign on NASA Stennis,\u201d Center Director John Bailey said. \u201cIt is hundreds of stories, affecting all areas of center life, within one great story of team achievement and accomplishment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>NASA Stennis tested space shuttle main engines from May 19, 1975, to July 29, 2009. The testing made history, enabling 135 shuttle missions and notable space milestones, like deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope and construction of the International Space Station.<\/p>\n<p>The testing also:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Established NASA Stennis as the center of excellence for large propulsion testing.<\/li>\n<li>Broadened and deepened the expertise of the NASA Stennis test team.<\/li>\n<li>Demonstrated and expanded the propulsion test capabilities of NASA Stennis.<\/li>\n<li>Ensured the future of the Mississippi site.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-19750508-s00011.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-19750508-s00011.jpg?w=1200\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"The first space shuttle main engine is installed on test stand; the start of a defining era\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 43% 60%; object-position: 43% 60%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-19750508-s00011.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-19750508-s00011.jpg?resize=240,300 240w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-19750508-s00011.jpg?resize=768,960 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-19750508-s00011.jpg?resize=819,1024 819w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-19750508-s00011.jpg?resize=320,400 320w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-19750508-s00011.jpg?resize=480,600 480w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-19750508-s00011.jpg?resize=720,900 720w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-19750508-s00011.jpg?resize=960,1200 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The first space shuttle main engine is installed on May 8, 1975, at the Fred Haise Test Stand (formerly A-1). The engine would be used for the first six tests and featured a shortened thrust chamber assembly.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Assignment and Beginning<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>NASA Stennis was not the immediate choice to test space shuttle main engines. Two other sites also sought the assignment \u2013 NASA\u2019s Marshall Flight Center in Alabama and Edwards Air Force Base in California. However, following presentations and evaluations, NASA announced March 1, 1971, that the test campaign would take place in south Mississippi.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c(NASA Stennis) was now assured of a future in propulsion testing for decades,\u201d summarized <em>Way Station to Space<\/em>, a history of the center\u2019s first decades.<\/p>\n<p>Testing did not begin immediately. First, NASA Stennis had to complete an ambitious project to convert stands built the previous decade for rocket stage testing to facilities supporting single-engine hot fire.<\/p>\n<p>Propellant run tanks were installed and calibrated. A system was fashioned to measure and verify engine thrust. A gimbaling capability was developed on the Fred Haise Test Stand to allow operators to move engines as they must pivot in flight to control rocket trajectory. Likewise, engineers designed a diffuser capability for the A-2 Test Stand to allow operators to test at simulated altitudes up to 60,000 feet.<\/p>\n<p>NASA Stennis teams also had to learn how to handle cryogenic propellants in a new way. For Apollo testing, propellants were loaded into stage tanks to support hot fires. For space shuttle, propellants had to be provided by the stand to the engine. New stand run tanks were not large enough to support a full-duration (500 seconds) hot fire, so teams had to provide real-time transfer of propellants from barges, to the run tanks, to the engine.<\/p>\n<p>The process required careful engineering and calibration. \u201cThere was a lot to learn to manage real-time operations,\u201d said Maury Vander, chief of NASA Stennis test operations. \u201cTeams had to develop a way to accurately measure propellant levels in the tanks and to control the flow from barges to the tanks and from the tanks to the engine. It is a very precise process.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-1979-00005h-e1747147499775.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1154\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-1979-00005h-e1747147499775.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"a plume of hot fire of the space shuttle Main Propulsion Test Article in 1979 on the B-2 side of the Thad Cochran Test Stand.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA Stennis teams conduct a hot fire of the space shuttle Main Propulsion Test Article in 1979 on the B-2 side of the Thad Cochran Test Stand. The testing involved installing a shuttle external fuel tank, a mockup of the shuttle orbiter, and the vehicle\u2019s three-engine configuration on the stand, then firing all three engines simultaneously as during an actual launch.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Testing the Way<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The biggest challenge was operation of the engine itself. Not only was it the most sophisticated ever developed, but teams would be testing a full engine from the outset. Typically, individual components are developed and tested prior to assembling a full engine. Shuttle testing began on full-scale engines, although several initial tests did feature a trimmed down thrust chamber assembly.<\/p>\n<p>The initial test on May 19, 1975, provided an evaluation of team and engine. The so-called \u201cburp\u201d test did not feature full ignition, but it set the stage for moving forward.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe first test was a monstrous milestone,\u201d Vander said. \u201cTeams had to overcome all sorts of challenges, and I can only imagine what it must have felt like to go from a mostly theoretical engine to seeing it almost light. It is the kind of moment engineers love \u2013 fruits-of-all-your-hard-labor moment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>NASA Stennis teams conducted another five tests in quick succession. On June 23\/24, with a complete engine thrust chamber assembly in place, teams achieved full ignition. By year\u2019s end, teams had conducted 27 tests. In the next five years, they recorded more than 100 annual hot fires, a challenging pace. By the close of 1980, NASA Stennis had accumulated over 28 hours of hot fire.<\/p>\n<p>The learning curve remained steep as teams developed a defined engine start, power up, power down, and shutdown sequences. They also identified anomalies and experienced various engine failures.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEach test is a semi-controlled explosion,\u201d Vander said. \u201cAnd every test is like a work of art because of all that goes on behind the scenes to make it happen, and no two tests are exactly the same. There were a lot of knowledge and lessons learned that we continue to build on today.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/dsc-0637-2006-40th-anniv-e1747174630987.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1153\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/dsc-0637-2006-40th-anniv-e1747174630987.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"a view of employees monitoring activities inside the Test Control Center during the 1000th test of a space shuttle main engine\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA Stennis test conductor Brian Childers leads Test Control Center operations during the 1000th test of a space shuttle main engine on the Fred Haise Test Stand (formerly A-1). on Aug. 17, 2006.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Powering History<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Teams took a giant step forward in 1978 to 1981 with testing of the Main Propulsion Test Article, which involved installing three engines (configured as during an actual launch), with a space shuttle external tank and a mock orbiter, on the B-2 side of the Thad Cochran Test Stand.<\/p>\n<p>Teams conducted 18 tests of the article, proving conclusively that the shuttle configuration would fly as needed. On April 12, 1981, shuttle Columbia launched on the maiden STS-1 mission of the new era. Unlike previous vehicles, this one had no uncrewed test flight. The first launch of shuttle carried astronauts John Young and Bob Crippen.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe effort that you contributed made it possible for us to sit back and ride,\u201d Crippen told NASA Stennis employees during a post-test visit to the site. \u201cWe couldn\u2019t even make it look hard.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Testing proceeded steadily for the next 28 years. Engine anomalies, upgrades, system changes \u2013 all were tested at NASA Stennis. Limits of the engine were tested and proven. Site teams gained tremendous testing experience and expertise. NASA Stennis personnel became experts in handling cryogenics.<\/p>\n<p>Following the loss of shuttles Challenger and Columbia, NASA Stennis teams completed rigorous test campaigns to ensure future mission safety. The space shuttle main engine arguably became the most tested, and best understood, large rocket engine in the world \u2013 and NASA Stennis teams were among those at the forefront of knowledge.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-2009-01165h.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1371\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-2009-01165h.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"a crowd is gathered along a fence to witness the final space shuttle main engine test on July 29, 2009, on the A-2 Test Stand at NASA Stennis.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-2009-01165h.jpg 3872w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-2009-01165h.jpg?resize=300,201 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-2009-01165h.jpg?resize=768,514 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-2009-01165h.jpg?resize=1024,685 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-2009-01165h.jpg?resize=1536,1028 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-2009-01165h.jpg?resize=2048,1371 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-2009-01165h.jpg?resize=400,268 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-2009-01165h.jpg?resize=600,402 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-2009-01165h.jpg?resize=900,602 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-2009-01165h.jpg?resize=1200,803 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ssc-2009-01165h.jpg?resize=2000,1339 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA conducts the final space shuttle main engine test on July 29, 2009, on the A-2 Test Stand at NASA Stennis. The Space Shuttle Program concluded two years later with the STS-135 shuttle mission in July 2011.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Foundation for the Future<\/h2>\n<p>NASA recognized the effort of the NASA Stennis team, establishing the site as the center of excellence for large propulsion test work. In the meanwhile, NASA Stennis moved to solidify its future, growing as a federal city, home to more than 50 resident agencies, organizations, and companies.<\/p>\n<p>Shuttle testing opened the door for the variety of commercial aerospace test projects the site now supports. It also established and solidified the test team\u2019s unique capabilities and gave all of Mississippi a sense of prideful ownership in the Space Shuttle Program \u2013 and its defining missions.<\/p>\n<p>No one can say what would have happened to NASA Stennis without the space shuttle main engine test campaign. However, everything NASA Stennis now is rests squarely on the record and work of that history-making campaign.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEveryone knows NASA Stennis as the site that tested the Apollo rockets that took humans to the Moon \u2013 but space shuttle main engine testing really built this site,\u201d said Joe Schuyler, director of NASA Stennis engineering and test operations. \u201cWe are what we are because of that test campaign \u2013 and all that we become is built on that foundation.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 article_a hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?via=NASA&#038;text=A%20Defining%20Era%3A%20NASA%20Stennis%20and%20Space%20Shuttle%20Main%20Engine%20Testing&#038;%23038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fcenters-and-facilities%2Fstennis%2Fa-defining-era-ssme%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on X.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"1200\" height=\"1227\" viewBox=\"0 0 1200 1227\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M714.163 519.284L1160.89 0H1055.03L667.137 450.887L357.328 0H0L468.492 681.821L0 1226.37H105.866L515.491 750.218L842.672 1226.37H1200L714.137 519.284H714.163ZM569.165 687.828L521.697 619.934L144.011 79.6944H306.615L611.412 515.685L658.88 583.579L1055.08 1150.3H892.476L569.165 687.854V687.828Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fcenters-and-facilities%2Fstennis%2Fa-defining-era-ssme%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 8h-3v4h3v12h5v-12h3.642l.358-4h-4v-1.667c0-.955.192-1.333 1.115-1.333h2.885v-5h-3.808c-3.596 0-5.192 1.583-5.192 4.615v3.385z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fcenters-and-facilities%2Fstennis%2Fa-defining-era-ssme%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on LinkedIn.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M4.98 3.5c0 1.381-1.11 2.5-2.48 2.5s-2.48-1.119-2.48-2.5c0-1.38 1.11-2.5 2.48-2.5s2.48 1.12 2.48 2.5zm.02 4.5h-5v16h5v-16zm7.982 0h-4.968v16h4.969v-8.399c0-4.67 6.029-5.052 6.029 0v8.399h4.988v-10.131c0-7.88-8.922-7.593-11.018-3.714v-2.155z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-rss\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feed\/\" aria-label=\"Subscribe to RSS feed.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 800 800\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M493 652H392c0-134-111-244-244-244V307c189 0 345 156 345 345zm71 0c0-228-188-416-416-416V132c285 0 520 235 520 520z\"\/><circle cx=\"219\" cy=\"581\" r=\"71\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Details<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Last Updated<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">May 19, 2025<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">NASA Stennis Communications<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Contact<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-3\">\n<div>C. Lacy Thompson<\/div>\n<div><a href=\"mailto:ca&#108;&#038;%23118;in&#038;%2346;&#038;%23108;&#038;%2346;&#038;%23116;&#038;%23104;o&#038;%23109;ps&#038;%23111;n&#038;%2364;n&#038;%2397;s&#038;%2397;&#038;%2346;g&#038;%23111;&#038;%23118;\">&#99;&#97;l&#118;&#105;n.&#108;.&#116;&#104;&#111;mpson&#64;n&#97;&#115;a.&#103;&#111;&#118;<\/a> \/ (228) 688-3333<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Location<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Stennis Space Center<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black \">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Related Terms<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"article-tags\">\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/stennis-space-center\/\">Stennis Space Center<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-articles\">\n<section class=\"hds-related-articles padding-x-0 padding-y-3 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n<div class=\"w-100 grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0 text-align-left\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n<h2 style=\"max-width: 100%;\" class=\"width-full w-full maxw-full\">Explore More<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/45-years-ago-first-main-propulsion-test-assembly-firing-of-space-shuttle-main-engines\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/first_mpta_testing_1_saturn_v_s-ii_test_apr_23_1966.png?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/first_mpta_testing_1_saturn_v_s-ii_test_apr_23_1966.png 731w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/first_mpta_testing_1_saturn_v_s-ii_test_apr_23_1966.png?resize=300,240 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/first_mpta_testing_1_saturn_v_s-ii_test_apr_23_1966.png?resize=400,320 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/first_mpta_testing_1_saturn_v_s-ii_test_apr_23_1966.png?resize=600,480 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">9 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">45 Years Ago: First Main Propulsion Test Assembly Firing of Space Shuttle Main Engines<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-md color-carbon-60\">The development of the space shuttle in the 1970s required several new technologies, including powerful&hellip;<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 years ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/40-years-ago-six-months-until-the-sts-1-launch\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/sts1-0459-noid-10.10.80.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/sts1-0459-noid-10.10.80.jpg 985w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/sts1-0459-noid-10.10.80.jpg?resize=300,201 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/sts1-0459-noid-10.10.80.jpg?resize=768,515 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/sts1-0459-noid-10.10.80.jpg?resize=400,268 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/sts1-0459-noid-10.10.80.jpg?resize=600,403 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/sts1-0459-noid-10.10.80.jpg?resize=900,604 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">5 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">40 Years Ago: Six Months until the STS-1 Launch<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5 years ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-first-saturn-v-stage-tested-in-mississippi-facility\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/saturn_v_stage_testing_1_a-2_test_stand_construction_1964_ssc-64-652c.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/saturn_v_stage_testing_1_a-2_test_stand_construction_1964_ssc-64-652c.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/saturn_v_stage_testing_1_a-2_test_stand_construction_1964_ssc-64-652c.jpg?resize=300,240 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/saturn_v_stage_testing_1_a-2_test_stand_construction_1964_ssc-64-652c.jpg?resize=400,320 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">8 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">55 Years Ago: First Saturn V Stage Tested in Mississippi Facility<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4 years ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The numbers are notable \u2013 34 years of testing space shuttle main engines at NASA\u2019s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, 3,244 individual tests, more than 820,000 seconds (totaling more than nine days) of cumulative hot fire. The story behind the numbers is unforgettable. \u201cIt is hard to describe the full impact of [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15679],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-220032","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stennis-space-center"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/220032","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=220032"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/220032\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":220915,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/220032\/revisions\/220915"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=220032"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=220032"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=220032"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}