The Space Launch System’s solid rocket boosters will provide more than 75 percent of the thrust required to escape Earth’s gravity . Image NASA
NASA has successfully tested its new Space Launch System (SLS) booster rocket, which will be instrumental in the agency’s planned journey to Mars.
According to NASA, this was the last full-scale grounded test for the booster system. A test flight is scheduled with the Orion spacecraft sometime in late 2018. Coincidentally, China recently successfully launched its Long March 7 rocket.
READ: China launches Long March 7 rocket
NASA’s booster was turned on for two minutes to gauge its functionality and to gather data on its operational status before the test flight. Temperatures inside the booster was recorded at nearly 6,000 degrees. It will be providing more than 75 percent of the thrust needed to get the Orion out of the atmosphere and away from Earth’s gravitational pull.
The rocket boosters are among the largest to be ever commissioned by NASA. The full SLS system will consist of the two dice-segment boosters plus four RS-25 main engines.
This is a big step for the agency in its preparation for the long journey to Mars. Alfred Bayle