RS-25 Engine Tests at NASA Stennis

On October 21, 2026, teams at NASA's Stennis Space Center conducted a critical hot fire test utilizing RS-25 engine number 10001. This extended test duration spanned approximately eight-and-a-half minutes, mirroring the actual burn times experienced by these engines during an SLS rocket launch. The test utilized a 111% power level to accurately simulate operational conditions. Data collected from this experiment will be instrumental in validating design parameters and performance expectations for future missions. Engineers are evaluating the results as part of ongoing efforts to ensure the reliability of the RS-25 engine within the Artemis program.