NASA’s Space Shuttle Program conducted the final test firing of a reusable solid rocket motor Feb. 25 in Promontory, Utah. This test (52nd in over three decades) marks the last of this entire program.
The flight support motor, or FSM-17 (also know as Solid Rocket Boosters), burned for approximately 123 seconds — the same time each reusable solid rocket motor burns during an actual space shuttle launch. Preliminary indications show all test objectives were met. After final test data are analyzed, results for each objective will be published in a NASA report.
This test proved the motors are still good to be used in the four remaining flights of the Space Shuttle program.
Here are some pretty incredible images… keep in mind these rockets produce about 2.6 million pounds of thrust (both rockets combined on a shuttle assembly generate 80% of the lift required to put the orbiter into space):
Final test firing of reusable solid rocket motor FSM-17 on Feb. 25 in Promontory, Utah. (NASA)
Final test firing of reusable solid rocket motor FSM-17 on Feb. 25 in Promontory, Utah. (NASA)
Smoke curls into the Utah skies as FSM-17 completes its successful test firing. (NASA)
Flight Support Motor-17, the final solid rocket ground test motor of the Space Shuttle program. (ATK)
Mist surrounds Flight Support Motor-17 prior to a successful test on Feb. 25 in Promontory, Utah. (NASA)
