L3Harris Accelerates RS-25 Rocket Engine Production for NASA’s Artemis Moon Missions

L3Harris has intensified the production of the new RS-25 rocket engines at its facility near Los Angeles, preparing for NASA’s Artemis missions aimed at returning astronauts to the Moon. The company restarted production of the RS-25, which is based on engines used in the Space Shuttle program, with certification from NASA expected in mid-2024. These enhanced engines will operate in clusters of four on the Space Launch System (SLS) Core Stage, delivering increased performance.

The production ramp-up aims to meet NASA’s goal of supporting one SLS launch annually. Currently, L3Harris is on track to deliver RS-25 engines at a rate corresponding to four engines each year. This strategy involves extensive cooperation with various teams within NASA as they prepare for upcoming Artemis missions. The first of these new engines, designated as serial number 20001, successfully passed its acceptance tests in June, confirming its performance capabilities.

Mike Lauer, RS-25 program director at L3Harris’ Aerojet Rocketdyne division, highlighted the significance of the acceptance testing, stating that it involved a comprehensive assessment of thrust levels, overall performance, and other critical metrics. After resolving minor instrumentation glitches during the test, the engine was deemed ready for future missions.

As production progresses, L3Harris has already assembled several components for the subsequent engines designated 20002 and 20003, with preparations for the fourth engine underway. The latest versions of the RS-25 engines are designed to operate at 111 percent of the thrust levels established during the Shuttle era, which is an increase from previously achieved levels. Modern manufacturing techniques, including additive manufacturing, have been integrated into the production process, leading to increased efficiency and decreased assembly times.

To maintain the production schedule, L3Harris is closely monitoring the output of individual engine components, ensuring that they meet the necessary delivery rates. Many essential parts have already been produced at a rate exceeding the required four per year, showcasing progress relative to the earlier Shuttle-era processes. The focus now includes maintaining momentum for more complex components like turbopumps and nozzles, which are still in the optimization phase.

At the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, L3Harris is gearing up for final assembly and testing of the engines. The team there is on track to meet acceptance test schedules, with engine 20002 expected to be ready shortly. Looking ahead, the company anticipates producing and testing additional engines in alignment with gradually increasing launch schedules.

L3Harris is also engaged in modifying engines from the Shuttle era for ongoing use in Artemis missions. Equipment and enhancements have been made in anticipation of the Artemis II, III, and IV launches. Notably, a recent engine swap during the assembly of the Artemis II Core Stage marked the first vertical engine change in the SLS program, underscoring the collaborative efforts of the various teams involved.

As the Artemis initiative continues to develop, L3Harris is exploring options for further enhancements to the RS-25 line. An additional test engine is planned to serve as a platform for potential upgrades and to address any flight anomalies. With a goal of continuously improving and sustaining production rates, L3Harris is positioning itself to meet the ambitious objectives of NASA’s exploration agenda into the coming years, aiming for a future where more than four engines may be produced annually by 2027 and beyond.