NASA and L3Harris Technologies have completed a successful test fire of the second RS-25 engine that will power the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for NASA’s Artemis V mission. The milestone marks another key step in preparations to return astronauts to the Moon and, eventually, journey to Mars.
The RS-25 engine, a core component of the SLS rocket, has a proven heritage dating back to the Space Shuttle era. Under the Artemis program, four RS-25 engines power each SLS core stage, providing the thrust needed to lift heavy payloads beyond Earth’s orbit. The latest test continues a series of engine firings designed to validate performance and reliability for the next phases of deep-space exploration.
Each RS-25 operates with high-efficiency liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants, generating over half a million pounds of thrust. The engines are upgraded with modern manufacturing techniques and digital controls to enhance performance while reducing cost and production time for future missions.
The Artemis program aims to establish a long-term human presence on the lunar surface as a foundation for future crewed missions to Mars. Each successful RS-25 test strengthens NASA’s timeline toward launching more ambitious deep-space missions over the coming decade.
With the Artemis V engine testing progressing on schedule, NASA and L3Harris continue to demonstrate the importance of public-private collaboration in driving the next era of human space exploration.
