NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Follow this link to skip to the main content + Contact NASA
Go

+ GRC Home
+ GRC Facilities Home
Spacecraft Propulsion Facility (B-2)
B2 Home
Quick Facts
Capabilities
Testing Information
Contact Information
Gallery
Facility Fact
 
In the Spacecraft Propulsion Facility, the engine or vehicle can be exposed for indefinite periods to low ambient pressures, low temperatures, and dynamic solar heating that simulates the environment hardware will encounter during orbital or interplanetary travel.

C-1998-749: X Stage test Article in the B-2 C-1998-1537: Delta 3 RL-10 engine test in the B-2
Quick Facts
Description
NASA's Spacecraft Propulsion Research Facility is the world's only high altitude test facility capable of full-scale rocket engine and launch vehicle system level tests. The facility supports mission profile thermal vacuum simulation and engine firing. The engine or vehicle can be exposed for indefinite periods to low ambient pressures, low-background temperatures, and dynamic solar heating, simulating the environment the hardware will encounter during orbital or interplanetary travel.

Name: Spacecraft Propulsion Facility
Vacuum Chamber: 35 ft diameter by 55 ft tall
Vacuum Range: Local atmospheric pressure to
170 statute miles altitude
Thrust Capability: Up to 400,000 lb of thrust
Facility Manager : Brian.P.Willis@nasa.gov

Spacecraft Propulsion Facility Rendering

Spacecraft Propulsion Facility Rendering

 
Further Information
Space Propulsion Facility (B-2)
Capable of testing full-scale upper-stage launch vehicles and rocket engines.
+ View the fact sheet (PDF)

Get Adobe Acrobat Reader
 








USA.gov - Your First Click to the US Government
+ Freedom of Information Act
+ NASA Web Privacy Policy and Important Notices

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Editor: Sharon Maier, SGT Inc.
NASA Official: Susan Kevdzija
+ Web Curator
+ Contact NASA Glenn
+ Contact NASA
Last Updated: January 24, 2007