| Revision as of 00:00, 28 October 2013 editN2e (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers55,706 edits →E Test stand complex: add requested citation; copyedit the info on the E-2 test cell← Previous edit | Revision as of 00:16, 28 October 2013 edit undoN2e (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers55,706 edits →E Test stand complex: copyedit and clarify the E-2 stand modifications to support liquid methane engine testingNext edit → | ||
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| The E-Complex supports testing of small engine and single/multiple components.{{cn|date=October 2013}}<!-- is there an E-1 test cell? what is it do? or is E-2 the only test cell in the "E Test stand complex"? --> | The E-Complex supports testing of small engine and single/multiple components.{{cn|date=October 2013}}<!-- is there an E-1 test cell? what is it do? or is E-2 the only test cell in the "E Test stand complex"? --> | ||
| The E-2 Cell 1 test facility at Stennis is |
The E-2 Cell 1 test facility at Stennis is a multi-position cell that supports two separate test stands, one for testing horizontally-mounted engines and one for vertically-mounted engines. Both can support engines with up to {{convert|100000|lbf|kN}} of thrust.<ref name=sn20131025/> | ||
| The facility can provide Liquid Oxygen, Liquid Nitrogen, Liquid Hydrogen, Refined Petroleum (RP1), H2O, Gaseous Hydrogen, "Hot" Gaseous Hydrogen, Gaseous Oxygen and Gaseous Nitrogen.<ref></ref> | The facility can provide Liquid Oxygen, Liquid Nitrogen, Liquid Hydrogen, Refined Petroleum (RP1), H2O, Gaseous Hydrogen, "Hot" Gaseous Hydrogen, Gaseous Oxygen and Gaseous Nitrogen.<ref></ref> | ||
| The E-2 test stand will be modified after 2013 to support ] engine testing, with funds being provided by ], the ] ({{US$|500,000}} using funding from state bond issues), and NASA (up to {{US$|600,000}}. {{asof|2013|10}}, the SpaceX funding commitment to the methane modification project has not yet been disclosed, as the ] has not yet been finalized and executed. The methane modifications will become a permanent part of the Stennis test infrastructure and will be available to other users of the test facility after the SpaceX facility lease is completed.<ref name=sn20131025> | |||
| ⚫ | {{cite news |last=Leone|first=Dan |title=SpaceX Could Begin Testing Methane-fueled Engine at Stennis Next Year |url=http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/37859spacex-could-begin-testing-methane-fueled-engine-at-stennis-next-year |accessdate=2013-10-26 |newspaper=Space News |date=2013-10-25 }}</ref> | ||
| E-2 Cell 1 Test Stand, originally known as the High Heat Flux Facility (HHFF), was originally constructed | E-2 Cell 1 Test Stand, originally known as the High Heat Flux Facility (HHFF), was originally constructed | ||
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| In the 1990s, a new test complex named "E" was constructed to test a variety of new engine concepts. A series of tests conducted there eventually led to the commercialization of ] motors, one of which was used to power the first privately funded spaceship, ].{{cn|date=October 2013}} | In the 1990s, a new test complex named "E" was constructed to test a variety of new engine concepts. A series of tests conducted there eventually led to the commercialization of ] motors, one of which was used to power the first privately funded spaceship, ].{{cn|date=October 2013}} | ||
| In 2012 ] tested the thrust chamber assembly for its new {{convert|100000|lbf|kN}} thrust ] liquid oxygen |
In 2012, ] tested the thrust chamber assembly for its new {{convert|100000|lbf|kN}} thrust ] liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen rocket engine. As part of Blue's Reusable Booster System (RBS), the engines are designed eventually to launch the biconic-shaped Space Vehicle{{clarify}}<!-- is this a proper noun? --> the company is developing.<ref name=sn20131025/><ref></ref>{{full}} | ||
| The most recent test completed on the E-2 test stand, {{asof|2013|10|lc=y}}, was a 2012 NASA test of chemical ]s.<ref name=sn20131025/> | |||
| ] will be conducting test in 2014 of their Methane/Liquid Oxygen "Raptor" engine power-plant here. The Mississippi Development Authority, using funding from state bond issues, is putting up $500,000 for E-2 modifications and NASA will put up as much as $600,000 for covering the costs of adding Methane as a supported fuel within the E test stands.<ref name=sn20131025> | |||
| ⚫ | {{cite news |last=Leone|first=Dan |title=SpaceX Could Begin Testing Methane-fueled Engine at Stennis Next Year |url=http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/37859spacex-could-begin-testing-methane-fueled-engine-at-stennis-next-year |accessdate=2013-10-26 |newspaper=Space News |date=2013-10-25 }}</ref> | ||
| Beginning in 2014, ] will be conducting tests of their Methane/Liquid Oxygen "Raptor" engine. | |||
| {{clear|left}} | {{clear|left}} | ||
Revision as of 00:16, 28 October 2013
 | |
 The B-1/B-2 Test Stand holding space shuttle components (1987) | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1961 |
| Preceding agencies |
|
| Jurisdiction | U.S. federal government |
| Headquarters | Hancock County, Mississippi |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent agency | NASA |
| Website | Stennis Space Center home page |
The John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC) is a NASA rocket testing facility. It is located in Hancock County, Mississippi, on the banks of the Pearl River at the Mississippi–Louisiana border. As of 2012, it is NASA's largest rocket engine test facility. There are over 30 local, state, national, international, private, and public companies and agencies using SSC for their rocket testing facilities.
History
The initial requirements for NASA's proposed rocket testing facility required the site to be located between the rockets' manufacturing facility at Michoud Assembly Facility in eastern New Orleans, Louisiana and the launch facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Also, the site required barge access as the rocket motors to be tested for Apollo were too large for overland transport.
The selected area was thinly populated and met all other requirements; however before construction began, five small communities (Gainesville, Logtown, Napoleon, Santa Rosa, and Westonia), plus the northern portion of a sixth (Pearlington), and a combined population of 700 families had to be completely relocated off the facility. Remnants of the communities, including city streets and a one-room school house, still exist within the facility.
The 13,500 acres (55 km) site was selected on October 25, 1961 on the Mississippi Test Facility or Pearl River Site. On December 18, 1961 NASA officially designated the facility as NASA Mississippi Test Operations. The test area (officially known as the Fee Area) is surrounded by a 125,000 acres (506 km) acoustical buffer zone. The facility's large concrete and metal rocket propulsion test stands were originally used to test-fire the first and second stages of the Saturn V rockets. The facility was renamed again to Mississippi Test Facility on July 1, 1965, became a part of the Marshall Space Flight Center
Starting in 1971, all Space Shuttle Main Engines were flight-certified at Stennis. On June 14, 1974 the site was renamed National Space Technology Laboratories, a name that continued until May 20, 1988 when it was renamed for Mississippi senator and space program supporter John C. Stennis.
With the end of the Apollo and Shuttle programs, use of the base decreased, with economic impact to the surrounding communities. Over the years other government organizations and commercial entities have moved to and left from the facility, in the balance providing a major economic benefit to the communities.
Rocket propulsion test complex
United States historic place| Rocket Propulsion Test Complex | |
| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
| U.S. National Historic Landmark | |
 Static Test Firing S-1C Saturn V Mississippi Test Facility MTF | |
  | |
| Location | Bay St. Louis, Mississippi |
|---|---|
| Built | 1965 |
| Architect | NASA |
| Architectural style | No Style Listed |
| NRHP reference No. | 85002805 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 3, 1985 |
| Designated NHL | October 3, 1985 |
The Rocket Propulsion Test Complex is a rocket testing complex which was built in 1965 as a component of the John C. Stennis Space Center. The Rocket Propulsion Test Complex played an important role in the development of the Saturn V rocket. The A-1, A-2 and B-1/B-2 test stands were declared a National Historic Landmark in 1985. The NASA Engineering & Science Directorate (ESD) at SSC operates and maintains SSC's rocket test stands.
A-1 and A-2 Test stands
The smaller two of the original three test stands at Stennis Space Center, the A-1 and A-2 stands were built to test and flight-certify the second stage of the Saturn V, the S-II (pronounced "ess two"), the launch vehicle for the Apollo program. Both of these steel and concrete structures are roughly 200 feet tall, and capable of withstanding thrust loads of more than 1 million pounds and temperature of up to 6,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Construction began in 1963 and was finished in 1966.
On 23 April 1966 workmen at the A-2 test stand successfully captive-fired for 15 seconds the S-II-T, Structural and Dynamic Test Vehicle for the Saturn V second stage, in an all-systems test. This was the first test of a flight-weight S-II stage. The stage, largest and most powerful liquid oxygen-liquid hydrogen stage known, developed one million pounds of thrust from its five Rocketdyne J-2 engines. This test also marked the first operational use of the A-2 stand.
The first full-duration firing of the S-II flight stage occurred 20 May 1966 when S-II-T test-fired on the A-2 test stand for 354.5 seconds. LOX cutoff sensors initiated cutoff automatically. The firing passed all major test objectives with the exception of the propellant utilization system. This was the fourth static firing of the S-II-T. The stage developed one million pounds of thrust from its five hydrogen-oxygen-powered J-2 engines.
A static test version of the Saturn V second stage S-II-T ruptured during pressure tests at SSC on 28 May 1966, and five North American Aviation technicians monitoring the test received minor injuries. The accident occurred when the hydrogen fuel tank failed under pressure. S-II-T, which had five hydrogen-oxygen J-2 engines capable of generating one million pounds of thrust, had been tested May 25 in ground firing but stopped firing after 195 seconds when a hydrogen link leak caused automatic cutoff. At time of the explosion, technicians were trying to determine cause for the hydrogen leak. No hydrogen was in the tank when the explosion occurred. Under the direction of MSFC, a Board of Inquiry headed by Dr. Kurt H. Debus, Director of Kennedy Space Center, convened on the night of May 28. Immediate investigation revealed that the second shift crew, not knowing that the liquid hydrogen pressure sensors and switches had been disconnected, had attempted to pressurize the tank. Believing that a liquid hydrogen vent valve was leaking, the technicians closed the facility by blocking valves. This had caused the vehicle tank to become over-pressurized and burst. On 30 May 1966 the board released its findings after two days of inquiry. The fuel tank of the S-II stage had been pressurized beyond design limits. There was a need for tighter controls over MTF test procedure. Following the destruction of S-II-T, NASA extended the S-II battleship program until July 1967
S-II-1, the first flight S-II stage scheduled for static firing at MTF, left Seal Beach on July 31.
The first flight model (S-II-1) of the Saturn V vehicle's second stage arrived August 13 at MTF completing its 4,000-mile voyage from Seal Beach. Workmen immediately moved the stage into the S-II stage service and checkout building for inspection and preparation for static firing.
At MTF on December 1 North American Aviation conducted a successful 384-second captive firing of five J-2 engines, the first flight hydrogen-fueled engines, developing a total one million pounds of thrust. During the test, number 2 and 4 engine SLAM arms did not drop, resulting in the successful gimballing of engines 1 and 3 only. The test included the recording of about 800 measurements of the stage's performance, including propellant tank temperatures, engine temperatures, propellant flow rates, and vibrations.
The S-II-2 stage arrived on dock at MTF on February 11. The S-II-2 stage, part of the second Saturn V vehicle (AS-502) scheduled for launch from KSC late in 1967, was scheduled for testing at MTF late in March.
On February 17 the first full-duration test of a cluster of uprated J-2 engines, S-II battleship test No. 041, lasted 360 seconds.
On February 25 workmen at MTF completed construction of the S-II A-1 test stand, and the Corps of Engineers accepted beneficial occupancy with exceptions.
These two test stands tested and flight-certified S-II stages and J-2 engines until the end of the Apollo program in the early 1970s.
On December 30, 1966, MSFC technicians at the MTF test stand conducted a static firing of the first flight version of the Saturn V second stage, S-II-1. This second test firing, like an earlier firing, lasted more than six minutes.
On January 11 initial post-static checkout of the S-II-1 stage ended at MTF.
The A Test Complex also includes a Test Control Center, observation bunkers, and various technical and support systems.
It was announced in 1971 that the center would be performing tests on the engines for the new Space Shuttle program (called the SSME). The A-1 and A-2 test stands, originally designed to accommodate the much larger S-II engines, were modified to accept the smaller SSME, and testing officially began on May 19, 1975 when the first such engine was tested on the A-1 stand. The center continued to test engines for the duration of the shuttle program, on the A-1 and A-2 stands with the final scheduled test occurred on July 29, 2009 on the A-2 stand.
As the shuttle program is phased out, the A-1 and A-2 test stands are seeing new use testing the next generation of rocket engines, including the J-2X engine designed to power the SLS upper stage, with the first such test occurring on December 18, 2007.
B-1/B-2 Test stand
The B-1/B-2 test stand is a dual-position, vertical, static-firing stand supporting a maximum dynamic load of 11M lbf. It was originally built in he 1960's to simultaneously test the five F-1 engines of a complete Saturn-V S1-C first stage from 1967 to 1970. During the shuttle era it was modified to test the Space Shuttle Main Engine(SSME). Stennis now leases the B-1 test position to Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne for testing of RS-68 engines for the Delta IV launch vehicle. NASA is preparing the B-2 test position to test the core stage of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) in late 2016 and early 2017. The SLS core stage, with four RS-25D rocket engines, will be installed on the stand for propellant fill and drain testing and two hot-fire tests.
On 17 October 1966 MSFC shipped its S-IC all-system test booster, S-IC-T, to SSC for use in checkout of a static test stand and for use in static firings. Workmen loaded the huge booster aboard the barge Poseidon for the 1,000-mile river journey. Six days later the S-IC-T reached SSC. All future firings would be accomplished at the B-2 stand at MTF.
An all-systems test version of Apollo/Saturn V first stage, S-IC-T, went into the B-2 test stand at the Mississippi Test Facility on December 17. Stage electrical and mechanical hook-up to the test stand began immediately. Static firing would occur in early 1967 to demonstrate the facility checkout system.
On 13 Feb 1967 Corps of Engineers personnel completed construction of the S-IC B-2 test stand at MTF.
Following an extensive systems, subsystems, and total integrated systems checkout of the B-2 test stand at MTF on March 3, workmen successfully fired the S-IC battleship/all-systems stage (S-IC-T) for 15 seconds. This S-IC-T test, the first MTF S-IC firing, proved the total compatibility of stage, mechanical support equipment, and S-IC test facilities.
A-3 Test stand
NASA has begun construction of the new A-3 test stand at SSC. The A-3 stand will be used for testing J-2X engines under vacuum conditions simulating high altitude operation. A-3 will also be operable as a sea-level test facility.
E Test stand complex
The E-Complex supports testing of small engine and single/multiple components.
The E-2 Cell 1 test facility at Stennis is a multi-position cell that supports two separate test stands, one for testing horizontally-mounted engines and one for vertically-mounted engines. Both can support engines with up to 100,000 pounds-force (440 kN) of thrust. The facility can provide Liquid Oxygen, Liquid Nitrogen, Liquid Hydrogen, Refined Petroleum (RP1), H2O, Gaseous Hydrogen, "Hot" Gaseous Hydrogen, Gaseous Oxygen and Gaseous Nitrogen. The E-2 test stand will be modified after 2013 to support liquid methane engine testing, with funds being provided by SpaceX, the Mississippi Development Authority (US$500,000 using funding from state bond issues), and NASA (up to US$600,000. As of October 2013, the SpaceX funding commitment to the methane modification project has not yet been disclosed, as the contract has not yet been finalized and executed. The methane modifications will become a permanent part of the Stennis test infrastructure and will be available to other users of the test facility after the SpaceX facility lease is completed.
E-2 Cell 1 Test Stand, originally known as the High Heat Flux Facility (HHFF), was originally constructed in 1993 to support materials development for the National Aerospace Plane (NASP).
In the 1990s, a new test complex named "E" was constructed to test a variety of new engine concepts. A series of tests conducted there eventually led to the commercialization of hybrid rocket motors, one of which was used to power the first privately funded spaceship, Scaled Composites SpaceShipOne.
In 2012, Blue Origin tested the thrust chamber assembly for its new 100,000 pounds-force (440 kN) thrust BE-3 liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen rocket engine. As part of Blue's Reusable Booster System (RBS), the engines are designed eventually to launch the biconic-shaped Space Vehicle the company is developing.
The most recent test completed on the E-2 test stand, as of October 2013, was a 2012 NASA test of chemical steam generators.
Beginning in 2014, Space X will be conducting tests of their Methane/Liquid Oxygen "Raptor" engine.
H-1 Test stand
In 2007, British manufacturer Rolls-Royce plc has been operating an outdoor aero-engine test facility built on the old H1 test area. Rolls-Royce constructed the facility due to noise pollution concerns at its UK testing facility at Hucknall Airfield near its headquarters in Derby.
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Shuttle main engine test in the A-1 Test Stand.
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Construction of the A-2 Test Stand.
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A-3 test stand under construction in March 2011.
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Test firing of a Space Shuttle main engine in the A-1 Test Stand.
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Installation of a 35,000-gallon liquid oxygen tank atop the A-3 Test Stand.
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Tenant facilities
In 2005, the Center was home to over 30 government agencies and private companies. By far the largest of these were elements of the United States Navy with some 3,500 personnel, which was far larger than the NASA civil servant contingent. Some of the prominent resident agencies include:
US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Main article: National Data Buoy CenterThe National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) is a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS). NDBC designs, develops, operates, and maintains a network of data collecting buoys and coastal stations.
US Geological Survey
- The US Geological Survey Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility
United States Navy
- The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (COMNAVMETOCCOM) or NMOC, serves as the operational arm of the Naval Oceanography Program. Headquartered at the SSC, NMOC is a third echelon command reporting to United States Fleet Forces Command (USFLTFORCOM).
- A branch of the Naval Research Laboratory
- The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) comprises approximately 1,000 civilian, military and contract personnel responsible for providing oceanographic products and services to all elements within the Department of Defense.
- The Department of the Navy, Office of Civilian Human Resources, Stennis Operations Center
- Navy Special Boat Team 22 and NAVSCIATTS (Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School).
University
- The University of Southern Mississippi's High Performance Visualization Center
Commercial
- Rolls-Royce Outdoor Engine Testing Centre
- United Launch Alliance engine testing
- The Lockheed Martin Mississippi Space and Technology Center
Former tenant organizations
StenniSphere
The museum and visitor center for the Stennis Space Center was known as StenniSphere, but closed its doors to the public on February 15, 2012. Exhibits focused on the activities of NASA, space, space exploration, science, geography, weather and more. Many of the exhibits from StenniSphere have been moved into the new INFINITY visitor facility.
INFINITY
The INFINITY Science Center officially opened in April 2012 to replace the old StenniSphere visitors center. The new center features state-of-the-art science and space exhibits, including a full-sized International Space Station module.
See also
References
- Kelley, Mike (September 26, 2012). "Scheuermann appointed new MSFC director". The Huntsville Times. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
- "May 1961 speech leads to Stennis facility" (PDF). Lagniappe. 11 May 2011.
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- ^ "Rocket Propulsion Test Complex". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2007-10-19.
- Harry A. Butowsky (May 15, 1984). "Template:PDFlink" (Document). National Park Service. and Template:PDFlink
- ^ "A-1 Test Stand". NASA.
- MSFC Press Release No. 66-83, Apr. 21, 1966
- MSFC Saturn V Prog. Off., Saturn V QPR, Apr. 1-June 30, 1966, p. 19.
- MSFC Saturn V Prog. Off., Saturn V QPR, Apr. 1-June 30, 1966, p. 19.
- MSFC Press Release No. 66-228, Nov. 30, 1966
- MTF, Historical Report, Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1967, (draft)
- Memo, Sneed to NASA Headquarters, "Saturn V Weekly Report, No. 8," Feb. 21, 1967
- MSFC Saturn V Prog. Off., Saturn V Semiannual Prog. Report, Jan. 1-June 30, 1967, p. 30.
- MTF, Historical Report, Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1967, (draft)
- MSFC, MAF Hist. Report, Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1966, p. 6.
- MSFC Saturn V Prog. Off., Saturn V Semiannual Prog. Report, Jan. 1-June 30, 1967, p. 34.
- "B1/B2 Test Stand". NASA. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
- MSFC Saturn V Prog. Off., Saturn V Semiannual Prog. Report, July 1-Dec. 31, 1966, p. 72.
- MSFC Press Release No. 66-294, Dec. 13, 1966
- MTF, Historical Report, Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1967, (draft)
- Memo, Sneed to NASA Headquarters, "Saturn V Weekly Report, No. 8," Feb. 21, 1967
- MTF, Historical Report, Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1967, (draft)
- MSFC Saturn V Prog. Off., Saturn V Semiannual Prog. Report, Jan. 1-June 30, 1967, p. 19.
- "NASA's Stennis Space Center Marks New Chapter in Space Exploration". NASA.
- "Environmental Assessment for Stennis Space Center A-3 Test Stand". NASA.
- ^ Leone, Dan (2013-10-25). "SpaceX Could Begin Testing Methane-fueled Engine at Stennis Next Year". Space News. Retrieved 2013-10-26.
- "StenniSphere Museum and Visitor Center to Close" (Press release). NASA. Jan. 30, 2012.
{{cite press release}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "History of INFINITY Science Center". NASA. Retrieved 2012-09-13.
External links
- Official website
- Lagniappe official newsletter
- Movie of a test for a 250K hybrid rocket motor
- High Performance Visualization Center homepage
- National Data Buoy Center
- Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command
- Robot Science Group
- INFINITY Science Center at Stennis Space Center
- Aviation: From Sand Dunes to Sonic Booms, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
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30°21′45.96″N 89°36′00.72″W / 30.3627667°N 89.6002000°W / 30.3627667; -89.6002000
Categories:- John C. Stennis Space Center
- University of Southern Mississippi
- Lockheed Martin
- Space technology research institutes
- Buildings and structures in Hancock County, Mississippi
- Towers in Mississippi
- Visitor attractions in Hancock County, Mississippi
- 1961 establishments in the United States
- NASA visitor centers
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