In preparation for the "Journey to Mars," NASA tested an engine that they hope will one day carry astronauts to the Red Planet.
According to CBS News, NASA powered up the engine for eight minutes and 55 seconds at the launch pad because that is typically the amount of time it would take to propel the spacecraft into orbit. NASA's new Space Launch System (SLS) RS-52 rocket exerted an immense amount of pressure as well as higher temperatures and thrust levels.
"The RS-25 engine gives SLS a proven, high performance, affordable main propulsion system for deep space exploration," NASA said in a statement. "It is one of the most experienced large rocket engines in the world, with more than a million seconds of ground test and flight operations time. Aerojet Rocketdyne of Sacramento, California, is the prime contractor for the RS-25 engine work."
One NASA official indicated the results of the test were encouraging, or at least right what the space agency was hoping for.
"The initial results are great," Steve Swofford, NASA's SLS engines manager, told CBS News. "We ran full duration for 535 seconds, we met our test objectives, didn't note any anomalies at this time. So now we get the fun part of going through the data."
Those who witnessed the test were overwhelmed by the RS-52 engine's power.
"No exaggeration to say you feel it more than hear it," Stephen Clark, a reporter for Spaceflightnow.com, told CBS News. "And hearing protection is actually needed."
