Matthew Nelson
Boeing has completed the construction of the engine section for NASA’s Space Launch System and is slated for integration onto the spacecraft, Spaceflight.com reported Sunday. Before it received the clearance for integration, the component underwent function tests at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans for two months.
The engine section will work to connect with the spacecraft’s main propulsion system and houses propellant, pneumatic, hyrdraulic and electric interfaces for four RS-25 engines. NASA will transfer the spacecraft’s boattail and engine section to a different facility for horizontal rotation and bolting procedures to the core stage.
Boeing is scheduled to conclude assembly efforts for the SLS full stage prior to its integrated checkout and static fire tests under the Green Run campaign.
