14 DAY TRIAL // Officials at the American space agency announce that they have just concluded a test firing for a new rocket motor, that will go on a delivery system currently being built by a private corporation.
The liquid-fueled AJ26 rocket engine was developed to power-up the Taurus II rocket, which is being constructed by Virginia-based company Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC).
Alongside Hawthorne, California-based Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX), OSC is the main beneficiary of the NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program.
The corporation is currently developing an unmanned space capsule called the Cygnus spacecraft, which is destined to serve as a resupply freighter for the International Space Station (ISS).
The Cygnus/Taurus II combo is in direct competition with SpaceX's Dragon/Falcon 9. However, the latter already proved its worth, in a test flight conducted a few days ago. The Dragon capsule managed to orbit Earth and reenter the atmosphere for a safe water landing.
OSC is currently stepping up its research&development in response to its rival's successes, and the new firing test is an example. In order to carry out the experiments, the company used the NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC), in Mississippi.
This is the largest engine testing facility in the United States. Over the years, most new rocket engines developed in the country, and especially by NASA, were test-fired at the SSC, given that the Center is uniquely equipped to handle such challenges.
The test at the SSC, “in Mississippi supports NASA's Commercial Transportation Services partnerships to enable commercial cargo flights to the International Space Station,” a NASA press release reads.
According to OSC plans, the Taurus II will be powered by twin AJ26 motors, as opposed to the nine Merlin engines that power up the Falcon 9 medium-lift delivery system developed by SpaceX.
First stage propulsion is being built by Aerojet, which is why the new tests, conducted yesterday, December 17, saw the participation of Aerojet, OSC and Stennis engineers simultaneously.
“Once again, the Orbital and Aerojet team have achieved a major milestone with the AJ26 engine,” said NASA associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Doug Cooke after the tests.
“This success moves Orbital closer to its goal of providing NASA with commercial space transportation services to the space station,” the NASA official added.
“This second test of the AJ26 engine not only moves Orbital's commercial space transport plans a step ahead, but also demonstrates again the quality and versatility of Stennis facilities and the expertise of our test and support team,” concluded Stennis Director Patrick Scheuermann.