Shuttle Main Engine Test

This is a test of a Space Shuttle main engine. The test was conducted at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi in 2006. You can't see much since the engine is in the test stand, but the thunder of the engine is impressive in person.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• shuttle
• rocket
• stennis
• NASA

[Woody615]

What's really amazing is that there are people so close. When the Sat V F-1 engines were tested, the closest people were miles away due to the acoustical issues (sound can kill).

[uaaerospace]

@Woody615 The audio of this recording doesn't do the real sound justice. It's an awesome sound in person!

[HouTexHemi]

The exhuast from this engine is 100% Pure Water. Everything you see in the video is STEAM. You environmental wackos don't usually like to get facts before going nuts though so I'm sure you don't care. Let's ban water!!!

[MastaMag]

They`re adjusting the rotation speed of the earth =)

[Woody615]

@uaaerospace @arohn2007 And in reality, that isn't that much thrust compared to when they test fired all 5 F-1's on the Saturn V. The 5 engines produced 7.5 million pounds of thrust. Actually you just tie into the thrust plate and it stays in place. At launch there were tie down arms that held the entire rocket in place, so they are well versed on how to hold it down.

[highvoltagefeathers]

@Woody615 Thats one of the reasons they flood the "blast pad" with water. Most of the plume you see further out is water vapor from normal engine operation, but some is steam and water droplets from the pad. All the steam and water absorb sound.

[uk2k1010]

that was bomb. or should i say boom

[uaaerospace]

@arohn2007 The engine is mounted in a large concrete and steal structure. The structure is built to withstand the 400,000 lb force of thrust that this engine can produce.

[Moonsamy2]

planning on getting this for my skate board. what do you recon?

[worldwildwest]

I just Wish our Cars Could run on Hidro

[3Deity]

Jeremy Clarkson filmed an engine test for his 1995 BBC series 'Motor World', at the end of the short burst it starts raining 100% pure water from the cloud formed by the engine - pure physics magic! :o)

[arohn2007]

@uaaerospace How were they able to test the engine without that thing shooting up in the sky? It must've had major thrust even though it was only one engine

[twinturbonissan300zx]

to think during launch the space shuttle has TWO MORE of these and 2 solid rocket boosters....thats how over 3 g's is achieved during launch even when the space shuttle weighs over 2000 tons at launch - like nearly 4 airbus a380's!