Tags: Orbital Sciences, NASA, Antares, Launch Vehicle
Publication: Guardianlv.com
Publication Date: 02/24/2013

Orbital and the Antares team successfully conducted a "hot fire" test of the first stage propulsion system on February 22, 2013. Image credit: Orbital

Orbital Sciences Corporation has successfully conducted an extended-duration “hot fire” test of the first stage propulsion system of its new Antares medium-class rocket. As part of a $1.9 billion contract with NASA, the company is planning to use this vehicle to launch cargo supply missions to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a $1.9 billion contract with NASA.

The hot fire test, which lasted 29 seconds, was conducted on February 22, 2013 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport’s (MARS) Pad 0A, designed and built specifically for liquid-fuel space launch vehicles. The test ensures that the launch complex’s fueling systems and the Antares stage one test article functioned properly in a fully operational environment. Also it proves that engine ignition and shut down commands operate as intended, and that the dual AJ26 first stage engines and their control systems perform to specifications in the twin-engine configuration.

According to Orbital, with this successful test, the company will now place its efforts into the inaugural flight of the Antares rocket, expected to take place in approximately six weeks.

Under the contract with NASA, Orbital will launch eight cargo resupply missions to the ISS from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in eastern Virginia using the Antares vehicle. The company is also evaluating the possibility of a west coast launch site to broaden the market for this rocket.

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