Northrop Grumman showed impressive footage of firing tests of SLS lunar rocket booster

Northrop Grumman is producing the Flight Support Booster-2 for the SLS lunar lander on behalf of NASA and has already conducted fire tests.

What we know

The new booster is an upgrade of the booster from the Space Shuttle reusable spacecraft. It has an additional section that provides a 25% increase in thrust and an upgraded (almost 100%) electronic component.

Northrop Grumman successfully completed a series of Flight Support Booster-2 firing tests. According to the manufacturer, two boosters will be enough to provide 75% of the thrust on the launch phase of the SLS rocket.

Note that the Flight Support Booster-2 will be used on the first eight Artemis missions. Starting with the ninth mission, the all-new Booster Obsolescence & Life Extension solutions will be used, the data for their design having been collected during the latest tests.

During the Flight Support test, Booster-2 generated 1,600 tons of thrust for two minutes. The company also evaluated the engine ignition system and electronic thrust vector control system.

Note that the Flight Support Booster-2 will be designed for only one launch, while the four-section booster for the Space Shuttle was reusable, but less powerful. As for the Booster Obsolescence & Life Extension, they are credited with a composite body and a number of enhancements, and the first test of the debut sample is scheduled for the fall.

Source: NewAtlas