NASA and L3Harris test-fire new RS-25 engine for Artemis Moon missions
June 26, 2025
NASA and L3Harris Technologies, headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, USA, have successfully test-fired the first RS-25 rocket engine, which is intended to help power the fifth launch of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the Artemis Moon exploration campaign. This is the first hot-fire test of a flight version of the new RS-25 engine.
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The first four Artemis missions use upgraded RS-25 engines from the Space Shuttle programme. The new L3Harris RS-25 engine, for the fifth launch, reached 111% thrust during the 500-second acceptance test, demonstrating more thrust than required by the space shuttle engines.
“This successful acceptance test shows that we’ve been able to replicate the RS-25’s performance and reliability, while incorporating modern manufacturing techniques and upgraded components such as the main combustion chamber, nozzle and pogo accumulator assembly,” said Kristin Houston, President, Space Propulsion and Power Systems, Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris. “Our propulsion technology is key to ensuring the United States leads in lunar exploration, creates a sustained presence on the Moon and does not cede this strategic frontier to other nations.”
NASA awarded L3Harris a contract in 2015 to restart RS-25 engine design and production for the SLS, including the use of modern manufacturing techniques such as Additive Manufacturing. The new production engines are 30% cheaper than the space shuttle main engines and will deliver the same reliability and efficiency.
