In a sign of recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, NASA and got a boost, literally, with a test firing shuttle engines at Stennis Space Center in Louisiana, almost directly northeast of New Orleans.
Engineers successfully test-fired an engine for 520 seconds; the time it takes a shuttle to reach orbit. Today’s engine test is an indication that Stennis and the region are working toward recovering from the storm.
Today’s test was a continuation of a certification series on the Advanced Health Management System, which monitors the engine’s performance. It enables the engine to shut down if unusual vibrations are detected in the turbopump. It’s an upgrade that provides a significant improvement for lower risk for shuttle main engines. Other engine parts were tested and certified, such as a fast-response temperature sensor.
Congrats, Stennis!
