This installation is part of NASA's preparations for upcoming tests and future launches planned for the next few years.

On February 18, 2025, NASA achieved a significant milestone by installing RS-25 engine No. E20001, the first new production engine for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, at the Stennis Space Center.

This newly installed engine is part of a series of 24 new flight engines being constructed for future Artemis missions to the Moon, beginning with Artemis V.

Prior certification tests have confirmed that the new engine production process and its components meet the required performance standards.

The engine was transported from the L3Harris Engine Assembly Facility and installed using a vertical engine installer at the Fred Haise Test Stand.

The Stennis Space Center is crucial for testing and developing rocket engines, playing a vital role in NASA's ongoing space exploration efforts.

The RS-25 engine will undergo a series of tests to validate its performance and reliability before it is utilized in actual missions.

Constructed by L3Harris, formerly known as Aerojet Rocketdyne, the RS-25 engine is set to undergo acceptance testing next month.

A full-duration hot fire test lasting 500 seconds is planned to gather critical performance data for engine certification.

Testing operations will involve collaboration among teams from NASA, L3Harris, and Syncom Space Services.

The RS-25 engine is renowned for its reliability, having been used in previous Space Shuttle missions.

The installation of this engine marks a significant step forward in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface.