Anomaly Strikes During Crucial Test

In a dramatic twist for space enthusiasts, the latest solid rocket booster designed for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) faced a troubling anomaly during its test firing on June 26 in Utah.

Conducted by Northrop Grumman, this pivotal test at Promontory saw the newly engineered Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) model in action, firing for just over two minutes as it would during an actual launch.

Things Got Heated! 🚨

However, around 100 seconds into the burn, the unexpected occurred—exhaust was seen streaming from the side of the nozzle, followed by a shower of debris! Viewers of the NASA webcast voiced their astonishment and concern as the situation unfolded.

Despite the incident, the motor continued to burn through the test period. Interestingly, neither NASA nor Northrop Grumman initially addressed the anomaly during their immediate post-test commentary.

Experts Weigh In

Jim Kalberer, Northrop Grumman's VP of propulsion systems, later acknowledged the anomaly in a statement, emphasizing the test's importance in pushing the limits of solid rocket motor design. He noted, "while the motor appeared to perform well through a harsh burn environment, we did observe an anomaly near the end of the two-plus minute burn." He reassured that this data would aid in refining future designs.

A Leap into the Future... or Not?

The BOLE design, anticipated for future SLS missions starting with Artemis 9 in the 2030s, features cutting-edge carbon fiber composite casings and a new propellant formulation, promising over 10% better performance than its predecessors.

Yet, questions loom over the BOLE’s fate amid discussions in NASA's fiscal year 2026 budget proposal to potentially cancel the SLS program after Artemis 3. There are hints of two additional missions through Artemis 5 in the Senate’s budget bill, but the long-term future of the SLS remains murky.

Déjà Vu: Nozzle Issues Strike Again

This anomaly isn't the first for Northrop Grumman. Just last year, a nozzle from a smaller GEM 36XL booster fell off during the second launch of ULA's Vulcan rocket, albeit without derailing the mission. Detectives concluded that a manufacturing defect was to blame, and subsequent tests confirmed corrections.

As Northrop Grumman pushes forward amidst these challenges, all eyes are on upcoming tests and the future of space exploration with the SLS.