NASA Completes Another Space Launch System Test

NASA conducted another test of its Space Launch System vehicle configuration at the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., where the agency assessed the space vehicle’s aerodynamics through a set of wind tunnel tests, NASASpaceFlight.com reported Tuesday. 

The space agency launched 700 supersonic test runs using the SLS Block 1 Cargo vehicle at a speed of Mach 1.5 to 4.5. NASA aims to use aerodynamic data from the test to enhance analysis and modeling of the vehicle’s atmospheric trajectories, guidance, navigation, control and structural loading. 

The test included rolling out to the launch pad, liftoff, boost phase, booster separation and return to the launch area.  NASA started testing components of SLS at different wind tunnels across the U.S in 2018.