SLS, Most Powerful Rocket Succesful Test

The test for the most powerful rocket in existence, the Space Launch System (SLS), was successfully carried out by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The rocket's engine had successfully kept running for eight minutes or more, which is the standard time to stimulate the rocket to get into space from the ground.

A similar attempt was also made in January, but it shut down earlier. This is the second test done for SLS's biggest segment that was conducted at 16:37 ET (20:37 GMT).

The SLS has planned to send humans for the first time since the year 1972 to the lunar surface for more expeditions, which is also part of NASA's Artemis project that was launched by former President Trump's administration in 2017.

The rocket's test was carried out on its core stage. The SLS consists of an orange core with four power engines RS-25 and boosters that were attached on its sides. The engines were built by Aerojet Rocketdyne, a California-based company, and are similar to the engines used in the space shuttle.

The initial target was supposed to fire the engines for as long as eight minutes, but the teams from NASA and Boeing, its prime contractor, decided just to keep it for four minutes only just to gather all of the engineering data that they needed.

US House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology chair expressed congratulations on the success of NASA's test. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas Democrat said that the significant milestone achieved by NASA is a story of "tenacity and dedication."

She added that the said successful test today will bring us a step closer to send back American astronauts to the moon as a preparation for the exploration of Mars.

Rocket's core that was part of the test on Thursday will be used for SLS's maiden flight that is scheduled for late 2021.