yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (08/06/88)
88-47
August 4, l988
Mack Herring
Public Affairs Officer
2,017-SECOND TEST CONDUCTED ON B-1 POSITION
A successful 2,017-second test of a Space Shuttle main engine marked a
milestone as the longest test ever conducted in the free world on any large
liquid propulsion engine.
This was the first of three 2,017-second tests planned to demonstrate
additional margin on the engine.
The static firing conducted on the B-1 test position took place Aug. 3,
the same day ceremonies were held dedicating this NASA facility the John C.
Stennis Space Center.
Engine 2206 ignited at 8:40 p.m. and ran approximately 34 minutes.
During the test, which was a part of a seven-test series planned for the
engine, 510,000 gallons of hydrogen and 210,000 gallons of oxygen were burned
by the engine. Ten million gallons of water were used for cooling the
diffuser and flame bucket.
Previously, the longest test conducted at the Stennis Space Center was a
1,078-second firing. This duration was achieved July 26 with the first test
in the series on Engine 2206. Another test of the same duration was run on
the engine July 30.
The B-1 test position provides the Stennis Center's newest capability for
single-engine testing. This third test position was activated March 30 with a
1.5-second static firing.