What's Happening?
NASA has achieved a significant milestone in preparing for the Artemis IV mission by completing a water system activation at the Thad Cochran Test Stand (B-2) at the Stennis Space Center. This activation tested new cooling systems designed for the Green
Run test series of the Space Launch System's (SLS) exploration upper stage. The test involved the use of water-cooled diffusers, fairings, and a purge ring to manage the heat and exhaust from the stage's four RL10 engines. The exercise also tested the high-pressure industrial water system to its maximum capacity, using 14 million gallons of water recycled through the test complex.
Why It's Important?
The successful activation of the water system is a critical step in ensuring the readiness of the SLS exploration upper stage for the Artemis IV mission. This stage is crucial for NASA's plans to return humans to the Moon and eventually send astronauts to Mars. The new cooling systems and the ability to handle the intense heat and exhaust from the engines are essential for the safe and effective operation of the SLS. The data collected from this test will help refine the systems and ensure they are ready for the final stress tests and the actual mission.
What's Next?
NASA will continue to prepare for the Green Run test series, which will include a hot fire test of the exploration upper stage's engines. The data from the water system activation will be used to finalize the timing and pressure settings for the test. The exploration upper stage is being built by Boeing, with engines manufactured by L3Harris Technologies. Before the stage arrives at Stennis, a final 24-hour stress test will be conducted to ensure all systems are ready for the test series.
