NASA takes another step on their Journey To Mars

RS-25 engine test
Credit: NASA

Around 6 o'clock on August 18th, NASA tested another RS-25 rocket engine that will be a part of the Space Launch System's first stage. People gathered to watch the 420-second test fire of the RS-25 engine. These rockets are upgraded versions of the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) so they can perform to the higher temperatures and stresses needed to propel the rocket into Space on it's way to Mars. The Space Launch System, or SLS, will be powered by four of the RS-25 rockets as well as two strap-on Solid Rocket Boosters that are manufactured by Orbital ATK. These boosters have been test fired in Utah as QM-1 and QM-2. NASA is aiming to launch SLS to the Moon with the Orion Spacecraft on top to gather data of the performance of the rocket and the Spacecraft during flight.