J-2X: From Concept to Hot Fire

The author/director of this creative piece is Paul Gradl who works on the J-2X development effort. A superb engineer with a technical background in combustion devices design and analysis, he came up with the notion of stringing together the J-2X development process starting with conceptual design, then detailed design and analysis, through fabrication and assembly, and finally into full-scale hot-fire testing. The result is truly excellent.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• J 2-X rocket engine
• Marshall Space Flight Center

[nelis555]

When is the first launch scheduled for the entire system? And how long is it supposed to be Amerika's way in to space? The shuttle lasted 30 years. Is this planned to be longer or is it planned to fullfill its tasks and then move on to something bigger to continue the exploration?

[NASAMarshallTV]

@nelis555 The first SLS launch is targeted for 2017. J-2X is planned for the evolved, 130-metric ton lift capacity vehicle which is targeted for flight post-2021.

[digimaster88]

why dont you guys use tha plasa rocket it maks things more easy in space for travel

[NASAMarshallTV]

. To get off the planet – out of the “gravity well” to use a term from the trajectory folks – you have to sacrifice efficiency for brute strength. J-2X, as an upper stage engine, actually falls midway between total brute strength options (solid rockets or hydrocarbon-based rockets) and the highly efficient in-space propulsion options. It is mostly brute strength at nearly 300,000 pounds-force thrust, but with a reasonably high specific impulse (i.e., measure of propulsive efficiency).

[ValatoSify]

You guys rock!

[NASAMarshallTV]

@digimaster88 Yes, that is an interesting and relatively new propulsion concept. The technical challenge will be to find an energy source sufficient to power the system. Should that be overcome, it holds some promise for future."

[digimaster88]

@NASAMarshallTV but iv seen a documentary on plasma energy being powered by magnets going at a high speeds to power the plasma rocket he said we can go to mars in at least 39 days from the earth but of course it would be have to be launched by a chemical rocket first to work in space

[ILoveDominikaDetko]

@andschannll For sure a lot of money, but money is still and always a problem

its sad that things like money, costs and so on still exsists, mankind sill living in stoneage in someways. Whatever noone will be left to care about, if we will not bring up a lot of money for space technologies and science. All depends on them that there will be a future for all species on planet earth.

[NASAMarshallTV]

There are a number of extremely efficient propulsion options once you get into space. These include nuclear thermal, nuclear electric (using xenon or plasma options), solar thermal, solar sails, etc. But none of these are especially useful for getting off the planet in the first place. They are high efficiency but low thrust.

[NASAMarshallTV]

The J-2X actually has two separate turbopumps. There is one for pumping liquid hydrogen and one for pumping liquid oxygen. The pumps in each is driven by a turbine spun by a high-pressure, high-temperature mixture of steam and hydrogen (combustion products from a fuel-rich hydrogen/oxygen reaction). So yes, Dude, those are turbo-things hanging on the J-2X and combined they’re running at the horsepower of about 65 full-size pickup trucks.

[andschannll]

The J-2X.......after design, materials, manufacturing, testing, launch, tax and labour costs I would love to know what ONE engine costs!