The RS-25 rocket engine has a long list of historic milestones. It was originally known as the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), launching 135 flights over the span of three decades. It continues service in another historic role launching the Space Launch System (SLS) deep space rocket, which is even more powerful than the shuttle. As the most high-performance, staged combustion engine in the world, the RS-25 will burn over 700,000 gallons of super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, while producing 2 million pounds of thrust to send the rocket into orbit. Aerojet Rocketdyne of Los Angeles, California, has upgraded 16 RS-25 engines, that previously flew shuttle missions, with new control systems and has tested them at higher power levels needed for the first four Artemis missions. The company has begun manufacturing newer, improved versions for future flights. NASA is working to land the first woman and next man on the Moon. SLS is part of NASA’s backbone for deep space exploration, along with NASA’s Orion spacecraft, the human landing system and the Gateway in orbit around the Moon.
(NASA/Kevin O’Brien)