NASA’s New SLS Booster Test: What Happened When the End Blasted Off?

NASA recently conducted a booster test that grabbed attention. This was part of the Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) program. The goal is to create a new, more powerful solid rocket booster for future Space Launch System (SLS) missions.

During the test, everything seemed fine until about 1 minute and 40 seconds in. A surge of hot exhaust shot through part of the booster’s structure, causing the nozzle to break apart. Unlike some rocket types, solid rocket boosters can’t be turned off once they ignite. So, the booster continued to burn until it ran out of fuel, about 30 seconds later. This incident even sparked a fire in the nearby hills.

NASA awarded Northrop Grumman a hefty $3.2 billion contract in 2021. The plan includes using existing shuttle parts for five SLS missions and developing a totally new booster design for Artemis IX. The new boosters will provide over 75 percent of the thrust needed to lift the SLS rocket and the crewed Orion spacecraft.

Northrop Grumman boasts that this new booster is the "largest and most powerful segmented solid rocket motor" ever built for human spaceflight. One major upgrade is the shift from metal cases to lighter, stronger carbon-fiber composites. Additionally, the traditional hydraulic thrust vector control is being replaced with an electronic system. This change can improve reliability and reduce weight.

Interestingly, Northrop has faced challenges in recent years with rocket nozzles. A 2019 test of their now-canceled Omega rocket saw a nozzle failure, and last year, a smaller booster on the Vulcan rocket experienced a similar issue during flight. Fortunately, Vulcan’s guidance system managed to compensate, allowing the rocket to reach its intended orbit.

As NASA pushes for advancements in space technology, these tests are crucial. They provide valuable data that could shape the future of human spaceflight. Innovations like the BOLE boosters might play a significant role in the upcoming Artemis missions and beyond.

For more insights on NASA’s current projects, you can check out the NASA official website.

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