NASA Tests Cooling

NASA's Stennis Space Center has completed a water system activation milestone, testing new cooling systems for the future Green Run test series of NASA's exploration upper stage.

The test, conducted on Jan. 30, captured critical data to support testing a new SLS stage expected to fly on the Artemis IV mission. The activation milestone tested new cooling systems added to the stand, including water-cooled diffusers, fairings, and a purge ring.

The exploration upper stage is being built by Boeing and will be powered by four RL10 engines manufactured by L3Harris Technologies. The test series will culminate with a hot fire of the stage's four engines.

According to Nick Nugent, NASA Stennis project engineer, the data gathered will be used to set the final timing of when valves are cycled, determine redline pressures, and select the operating pressure.