The last of three hot-fire tests on the twin Boeing Rocketdyne XRS-2200 linear aerospike engines was conducted as part of NASA's Space Launch Initiative programme at the Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, on 6 August.
The engines, originally built for the cancelled X-33 programme, fired for 90s at 85% thrust, primarily to gain data on electro-mechanical actuator technology, which controls the flow of propellants. The technology, which will provide weight savings, is seen as a replacement for conventional pneumatic and hydraulic fluid systems.
Source: Flight International
