Rocket Booster Test Goes Haywire!

In a groundbreaking test on June 26, an upgraded solid rocket booster for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) encountered a dramatic anomaly that had engineers on edge. The Demonstration Motor-1 (DM-1) Static Test took place at Northrop Grumman’s facility in Promontory, Utah, aiming to simulate a critical two-minute launch duration.

Flames and Chaos Erupt!

As the test progressed smoothly, things took a wild turn at T+100 seconds. Witnesses were stunned as an eruption of flames burst from the top of the engine nozzle, quickly followed by a more intense explosion that sent debris flying across the test site. "Whoa!" was the shocked reaction from one operator, showcasing the intense drama unfolding.

A Valuable Learning Experience!

Despite the fiery mishap, the team remained focused. Jim Kalberer, Northrop Grumman’s vice president of propulsion systems, stated that while the motor generally performed well, this anomaly provided crucial data for refining the design. "As a new design and the largest segmented solid rocket booster ever built, this test helps us iterate for future developments," he noted.

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