View source for Organization:Stennis Space Center

{{Short description|Rocket testing facility in Hancock County, Mississippi, US}}
{{coord|30|21|45.96|N|89|36|00.72|W|region:US_type:city_source:dewiki|display=title}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name     = John C. Stennis Space Center
| nativename      = 
| nativename_a    = 
| nativename_r    = 
| logo            = NASA logo.svg
| logo_width      = 100px
| seal            = 
| seal_width      = 
| picture         = Stennis Space Center Test Stand.jpg
| picture_width   = 200px
| picture_caption = The B-1/B-2 Test Stand holding [[Engineering:Space Shuttle|Space Shuttle]] components (1987)
| formed          = 1961
| date1           = 
| date1_name      = 
| date2           = 
| date2_name      = 
| preceding1      = Mississippi Test Operations
| preceding2      = National Space Technology Laboratories
| parent_agency   = [[Organization:NASA|NASA]]
| jurisdiction    = U.S. federal government
| headquarters    = Hancock County, Mississippi
| coordinates     = 
| employees       = 
| budget          = 
| chief1_name     = Richard J. Gilbrech
| chief1_position = director<ref name="hsv120926">{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Kelley |newspaper=The Huntsville Times |title=Scheuermann appointed new MSFC director |url=https://www.al.com/42/index.ssf/2012/09/scheuermann_appointed_new_msfc.html |date=September 26, 2012 |access-date=November 28, 2012}}</ref>
| child2_agency   = 
| website         = [https://www.ssc.nasa.gov/ Stennis Space Center home page]
| footnotes       = 
| map             = 
| map_width       = 180px
| map_caption     = 
}}

The '''John C. Stennis Space Center''' ('''SSC''') is a [[Organization:NASA|NASA]] rocket testing facility in Hancock County, Mississippi, {{wipe|United States}}, on the banks of the Pearl River at the Mississippi–Louisiana border. {{as of|2012}}, it is NASA's largest [[Engineering:Rocket engine test facility|rocket engine test facility]]. There are over 50 local, state, national, international, private, and public companies and agencies using SSC for their rocket testing facilities.

== History ==
The initial requirements for NASA's proposed rocket testing facility required the site to be located between the rockets' manufacturing facility at [[Organization:Michoud Assembly Facility|Michoud Assembly Facility]] in eastern New Orleans, Louisiana, and the launch facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  Also, the site required barge access as the rocket stages to be tested for Apollo were too large for overland transport. Additionally, the Apollo motors were too loud to be tested at [[Organization:Marshall Space Flight Center|Marshall Space Flight Center]]'s existing test stands near Huntsville, Alabama. A more isolated site was needed.

After an exhaustive site selection process that included reviews of other coastal locations including {{wipe|Eglin Air Force Base}} in Florida plus islands in both the Caribbean and the Pacific, NASA announced formation of the '''Mississippi Test Facility''' (now known as Stennis Space Center) on Oct. 25, 1961, for testing engines for the Apollo Program. A high-terrace area bordering the East Pearl River in Hancock County, Miss., was selected for its location. NASA entrusted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with the difficult task to procure each land parcel either by directly purchasing the land or through acquisition of a perpetual easement.<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/pdf/697602main_October_12_Lagniappe.pdf NASA.gov]</ref>

The selected area was thinly populated and met all other requirements; however before construction began, five small communities (Gainesville, Logtown, Napoleon, Santa Rosa, and Westonia), plus the northern portion of a sixth (Pearlington), and a combined population of 700 families had to be completely relocated off the facility. The effort acquired more than 3,200 parcels of privately owned land – 786 residences, 16 churches, 19 stores, three schools and a wide assortment of commercial buildings, including nightclubs and community centers.  Remnants of the communities, including city streets and a one-room school house, still exist within the facility.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

The  {{convert|13500|acre|km2|0}} site was selected on October 25, 1961, on the Mississippi Test Facility or '''Pearl River Site'''.  On December 18, 1961, NASA officially designated the facility as '''NASA Mississippi Test Operations'''.  The test area (officially known as the '''Fee Area''') is surrounded by a 125,000 acre (506&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) acoustical [[Social:Buffer zone|buffer zone]]. The facility's large concrete and metal rocket propulsion test stands were originally used to test-fire the first and second stages of the [[Engineering:Saturn V|Saturn V]] rockets. The facility was renamed again to Mississippi Test Facility on July 1, 1965, became a part of the [[Organization:Marshall Space Flight Center|Marshall Space Flight Center]].

Starting in 1971, all Space Shuttle Main Engines were flight-certified at Stennis.  On June 14, 1974, the site was renamed '''National Space Technology Laboratories''', a name that continued until May 20, 1988, when it was renamed for Mississippi senator and space program supporter John C. Stennis.<ref>{{cite news|title=May 1961 speech leads to Stennis facility|url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/pdf/546006main_May_11_Lagniappe.pdf|newspaper=Lagniappe|date=11 May 2011}}</ref>

With the end of the Apollo and Shuttle programs, use of the base decreased, with economic impact to the surrounding communities. Over the years, other government organizations and commercial entities have moved to and left from the facility, in the balance providing a major economic benefit to the communities.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}

== Rocket propulsion test complex ==
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Rocket Propulsion Test Complex
| nrhp_type = nhl
| image = Static_Test_Firing_of_Saturn_V_S-1C_Stage_-_GPN-2000-000041.jpg
| caption = Static Test Firing S-1C Saturn V Mississippi Test Facility MTF
| location = Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
| locmapin = Mississippi#USA
| area =
| built = 1965
| architect = NASA
| architecture =
| designated_nrhp_type = October 3, 1985<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web|url=https://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1922&ResourceType=Structure|title=Rocket Propulsion Test Complex|access-date=2007-10-19|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070728062126/https://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1922&ResourceType=Structure|archive-date=2007-07-28}}</ref>
| added = October 3, 1985<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref>
| refnum=85002805
}}
[[File:NASA Stennis test complexes on display.jpg|thumb|left|An aerial photo shows all three NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) test complexes - the E Test Complex (foreground), the three A Test Complex stands (middle) and the B Test Complex (back).]]

The Rocket Propulsion Test Complex is a rocket testing complex which was built in 1965 as a component of the John C. Stennis Space Center. The Rocket Propulsion Test Complex played an important role in the development of the [[Engineering:Saturn V|Saturn V]] rocket. The A-1, A-2 and B-1/B-2 test stands were declared a National Historic Landmark in 1985.<ref name="nhlsum"/><ref name="nrhpinv2">{{cite report|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Rocket Propulsion Test Complex / A-1/A-2 B-1/B-2 Test Stands |url={{NHLS url|id=85002805}} |format=pdf |date=May 15, 1984 |author=Harry A. Butowsky |publisher=National Park Service}} and {{NHLS url|id=85002805|title=Accompanying 8 photos, from 1966, 1967, 1971, 1973, and 1977.|photos=y}}&nbsp;{{small|(1.76&nbsp;MB)}}</ref>
The NASA Engineering & Science Directorate (ESD) at SSC operates and maintains SSC's rocket test stands.
{{clear|left}}

== A-1/A-2 Test stand ==

 [[File:Aerial View SSC A-1, A-2 and B test stands 2004.jpg|thumb|left|A-1 test stand(foreground), A-2 (mid-ground) and B1/B2 (background)]]
The smaller two of the original three test stands at Stennis Space Center, the A-1 and A-2 stands were built to test and flight-certify the second stage of the [[Engineering:Saturn V|Saturn V]], the [[Astronomy:S-II|S-II]] (pronounced "ess two"), the launch vehicle for the [[Astronomy:Apollo program|Apollo program]]. The two stands are similar steel and concrete structures are roughly {{convert|200|ft|m|abbr=on}} tall, and capable of withstanding thrust loads of more than 1&nbsp;million pounds and temperature of up to {{convert|6,000|F|C|abbr=on|lk=on}}. Each test stand can provide Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) and [[Physics:Liquid oxygen|liquid oxygen]] (LOX) in addition to support fluids, gaseous [[Chemistry:Helium|helium]] (GHe), gaseous [[Chemistry:Hydrogen|hydrogen]] (GH2) and gaseous [[Chemistry:Nitrogen|nitrogen]] (GN2) as [[Astronomy:Purging (gas)|purge]] or pressurizing gasses.

=== 1960s ===

Construction began in 1963 and was finished in 1966. The A Test Complex also includes a Test Control Center, observation bunkers, and various technical and support systems.

On 23 April 1966 workmen at the A-2 test stand successfully captive-fired for 15 seconds the S-II-T, Structural and Dynamic Test Vehicle for the Saturn V second stage, in an all-systems test. This was the first test of a flight-weight S-II stage. The stage, largest and most powerful liquid oxygen-liquid hydrogen stage known, developed one million pounds of thrust from its five [[Engineering:Rocketdyne J-2|Rocketdyne J-2]] engines. This test also marked the first operational use of the A-2 stand.<ref name=ESDTest/><ref>MSFC Press Release No. 66-83, Apr. 21, 1966.</ref>

The first full-duration firing of the S-II flight stage occurred 20 May 1966 when S-II-T test-fired on the A-2 test stand for 354.5 seconds. LOX cutoff sensors initiated cutoff automatically. The firing passed all major test objectives with the exception of the propellant utilization system. This was the fourth static firing of the S-II-T. The stage developed one million pounds of thrust from its five hydrogen-oxygen-powered J-2 engines.<ref name="autogenerated19">MSFC Saturn V Prog. Off., Saturn V QPR, Apr. 1-June 30, 1966, p. 19.</ref>

==== S-II-T rupture ====

A static test version of the Saturn V second stage S-II-T ruptured during pressure tests at SSC on 28 May 1966, and five North American Aviation technicians monitoring the test received minor injuries. The accident occurred when the hydrogen fuel tank failed under pressure. S-II-T, which had five hydrogen-oxygen J-2 engines capable of generating one million pounds of thrust, had been tested May 25 in ground firing but stopped firing after 195 seconds when a hydrogen link leak caused automatic cutoff. At time of the explosion, technicians were trying to determine cause for the hydrogen leak. No hydrogen was in the tank when the explosion occurred. Under the direction of MSFC, a Board of Inquiry headed by Dr. Kurt H. Debus, Director of Kennedy Space Center, convened on the night of May 28. Immediate investigation revealed that the second shift crew, not knowing that the liquid hydrogen pressure sensors and switches had been disconnected, had attempted to pressurize the tank. Believing that a liquid hydrogen vent valve was leaking, the technicians closed the facility by blocking valves. This had caused the vehicle tank to become over-pressurized and burst. On 30 May 1966 the board released its findings after two days of inquiry. The fuel tank of the S-II stage had been pressurized beyond design limits. There was a need for tighter controls over MTF test procedure. Following the destruction of S-II-T, NASA extended the S-II battleship program until July 1967.<ref name="autogenerated19"/>

S-II-1, the first flight S-II stage scheduled for static firing at MTF, left Seal Beach on July 31, 1966.

The first flight model (S-II-1) of the Saturn V vehicle's second stage arrived August 13, 1966 at MTF completing its 4,000-mile voyage from Seal Beach. Workmen immediately moved the stage into the S-II stage service and checkout building for inspection and preparation for static firing.

On December 1, 1966, North American Aviation conducted a successful 384-second captive firing of five J-2 engines, the first flight hydrogen-fueled engines, developing a total one million pounds of thrust. During the test, number 2 and 4 engine SLAM arms did not drop, resulting in the successful gimballing of engines 1 and 3 only. The test included the recording of about 800 measurements of the stage's performance, including propellant tank temperatures, engine temperatures, propellant flow rates, and vibrations.<ref>MSFC Press Release No. 66-228, Nov. 30, 1966.</ref>

On December 30, 1966, MSFC technicians at the MTF test stand conducted a static firing of the first flight version of the Saturn V second stage, S-II-1. This second test firing, like an earlier firing, lasted more than six minutes.<ref>MSFC, MAF Hist. Report, Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1966, p. 6.</ref>

=== 1967 ===

On January 11, 1967, initial post-static checkout of the S-II-1 stage ended at MTF.<ref>MSFC Saturn V Prog. Off., Saturn V Semiannual Prog. Report, Jan. 1-June 30, 1967, p. 34.</ref> On January 27, 1967, the S-II-2 stage left Seal Beach, California, to pass through the Panama Canal and on to MTF. After its journey lasting 16 days, the S-II would arrive at MTF for two static tests. The S-II-2 stage arrived on dock at MTF on February 11, 1967. The S-II-2 stage, part of the second Saturn V vehicle (AS-502) scheduled for launch from KSC late in 1967, was scheduled for testing at MTF late in March 1967.<ref name="autogenerated1967">MTF, Historical Report, Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1967, (draft).</ref><ref>"Saturn V Weekly Report, No. 8," Feb. 21, 1967.</ref> On February 17, 1967, the first full-duration test of a cluster of uprated J-2 engines, S-II battleship test No. 041, lasted 360 seconds.<ref>MSFC Saturn V Prog. Off., Saturn V Semiannual Prog. Report, Jan. 1-June 30, 1967, p. 30.</ref> On February 25, 1967, workmen completed construction of the S-II A-1 test stand, and the Corps of Engineers accepted beneficial occupancy with exceptions.<ref name="autogenerated1967"/> On March 17, 1967, technicians fired the S-II battleship stage for a mainstage duration of 29 seconds.<ref>Test Lab., Monthly Progress Report, Mar. 1967, p. 19.</ref> On March 31, failure of a prevalve to close caused program officials to scrub the first attempt to static fire the S-II-2 stage.<ref>"Saturn IB Weekly Notes 13-67," April 3, 1967.</ref>

Battleship testing of the S-II battleship test stage equipped with five uprated J-2 engines ended in late March 1967 with a full-duration test of approximately 360 seconds mainstage operation.<ref>NAA S&ID, S-II Quarterly Progress Report, April–June 1967, p. II-6.</ref>

=== Summary ===

These two test stands tested and flight-certified S-II stages and J-2 engines until the end of the Apollo program in the early 1970s.<ref name=ESDTest>{{cite web | url = https://sscfreedom.ssc.nasa.gov/esd/ESDTestFacilitiesA1.asp | title = A-1 Test Stand | publisher = NASA | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090320094910/https://sscfreedom.ssc.nasa.gov/esd/ESDTestFacilitiesA1.asp | archive-date = 2009-03-20 }}</ref>

=== 1970s–2000s ===

It was announced in 1971 that the center would be performing tests on the engines for the new [[Engineering:Space Shuttle|Space Shuttle]] program (called the SSME). The A-1 and A-2 test stands, originally designed to accommodate the physically much larger S-II J-2 engines, were modified to accept the smaller SSME, and testing officially began on May 19, 1975, when the first such engine was tested on the A-1 stand. The center continued to test engines for the duration of the shuttle program, on the A-1 and A-2 stands with the final scheduled test occurred on July 29, 2009, on the A-2 stand.

=== 2010s ===

As the shuttle program is phased out, the A-1 and A-2 test stands are seeing new use testing the next generation of rocket engines, including the J-2X engine designed to power the SLS upper stage, with the first such test occurring on December 18, 2007.

Stennis tested{{when|date=November 2022}} Aerojet Rocketdyne AJ26 rocket engines for Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va., which partnered with NASA to provide commercial cargo flights to the International Space Station. Orbital's maiden flight to the space station launched from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia September 18, 2013. Orbital's Antares rocket was powered by a pair of AJ26 engines.<ref name=13-311/>

The first test of the [[Engineering:RS-25|RS-25]] engine for use on the [[Astronomy:Space Launch System|Space Launch System]] (SLS) rocket was conducted January 9, 2015. Stennis completed testing of all 16 heritage RS-25 engines that will help launch the first four SLS missions as part of NASA's [[Astronomy:Artemis program|Artemis program]] on April 4, 2019.<ref name=FredHaise>{{cite web |title=Fred Haise Test Stand |url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/fred_haise_test_stand_v1.pdf#page=2 |website=www.nasa.gov |access-date=January 4, 2023 |page=2 |format=PDF}}</ref>

=== 2020s ===

The A-1 Test Stand was designated the Fred Haise Test Stand in March 2020, in honor of the [[Engineering:Apollo 13|Apollo 13]] [[Biography:Fred Haise|astronaut]] and Biloxi, Mississippi, native.<ref name=FredHaise />

The first test of the newly redesigned RS-25 engine was completed December 14, 2022.<ref name=dec_lagniappe>{{cite news |title=NASA Conducts First Test of Redesigned Moon Rocket Engine|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/fred_haise_test_stand_v1.pdf#page=5 |website=www.nasa.gov |issue=12 |volume=18 |date=December 2022 |access-date=January 4, 2023 |page=5 |format=PDF}}</ref>

== B-1/B-2 Test stand ==
[[File:CS-1 Stennis B2 January 12 2020.jpg|thumb|A Space Launch System Rocket Core at Stennis prior to being lifted onto the B2 test stand]]
The B-1/B-2 test stand is a dual-position, vertical, static-firing stand supporting a maximum dynamic load of 11M lbf. It was originally built in the 1960s to simultaneously test the five F-1 engines of a complete Saturn-V S1-C first stage from 1967 to 1970.

On October 17, 1966, MSFC shipped its S-IC all-system test booster, S-IC-T, to SSC for use in checkout of a static test stand and for use in static firings. Workmen loaded the huge booster aboard the barge Poseidon for the 1,000-mile river journey. Six days later the S-IC-T reached SSC. All future firings would be accomplished at the B-2 stand.<ref>MSFC Saturn V Prog. Off., Saturn V Semiannual Prog. Report, July 1-Dec. 31, 1966, p. 72.</ref>

An all-systems test version of Apollo/Saturn V first stage, S-IC-T, went into the B-2 test stand at the Mississippi Test Facility on December 17, 1966. Stage electrical and mechanical hook-up to the test stand began immediately. Static firing would occur in early 1967 to demonstrate the facility checkout system.<ref>MSFC Press Release No. 66-294, Dec. 13, 1966.</ref>

=== 1967 ===

On 13 February 1967 Corps of Engineers personnel completed construction of the S-IC B-2 test stand at MTF.<ref name="autogenerated1967"/><ref>Memo, Sneed to NASA Headquarters, "Saturn V Weekly Report, No. 8," Feb. 21, 1967.</ref>

Following an extensive systems, subsystems, and total integrated systems checkout of the B-2 test stand at MTF on March 3, 1967, workmen successfully fired the S-IC battleship/all-systems stage (S-IC-T) for 15 seconds. This S-IC-T test, the first MTF S-IC firing, proved the total compatibility of stage, mechanical support equipment, and S-IC test facilities.<ref name="autogenerated1967"/><ref name="MSFC Saturn V Prog 1967, p. 19">MSFC Saturn V Prog. Off., Saturn V Semiannual Prog. Report, Jan. 1-June 30, 1967, p. 19.</ref>

A second S-IC-T firing lasted for 60 seconds on March 17, 1967. This firing validated the flame-bucket-water-flow pattern of the B-2 test stand and ended the facilities checkout test series at MTF.<ref>MTF, Historical Report, Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1967.</ref><ref name="MSFC Saturn V Prog 1967, p. 19"/>

Boeing personnel removed the S-IC-T from test stand B-2 on March 24, 1967, following post-static checkout, test stand refurbishment, and facilities modification.<ref>NAA S&ID, S-II Quarterly Progress Report, Jan.-Mar. 1967, p. II-16.</ref>

=== Post Apollo ===

During the shuttle era it was modified to test the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). Stennis now leases the B-1 test position to Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne for testing of RS-68 engines for the [[Engineering:Delta IV|Delta IV]] launch vehicle. NASA has prepared the B-2 test position to test the core stage of NASA's [[Astronomy:Space Launch System|Space Launch System]] (SLS), which it first did in early 2021. The SLS Core Stage, with four [[Engineering:RS-25|RS-25D]] rocket engines, was installed on the stand for propellant fill and drain testing and two hot-fire tests.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/multimedia/gallery/b2stand_3.html | title=B1/B2 Test Stand | publisher=NASA | date=29 April 2013 | access-date=26 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/space-launch-system-core-stage-arrives-at-the-kennedy-space-center|title=Space Launch System Core Stage Arrives at the Kennedy Space Center|first=Brian|last=Dunbar|date=29 April 2021|publisher=NASA|access-date=20 November 2022|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507205846/https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/space-launch-system-core-stage-arrives-at-the-kennedy-space-center/|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

== A-3 Test stand ==
In August 2007, NASA began construction of the A-3 test stand at SSC.<ref>
{{cite web | title = NASA's Stennis Space Center Marks New Chapter in Space Exploration | url = http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2007/aug/HQ_07180_Stennis_groundbreaking.html | publisher = NASA}}</ref> The A-3 stand was to be used for testing J-2X engines under vacuum conditions simulating high altitude operation. A-3 will also be operable as a sea-level test facility.<ref name="stennis-assess">{{cite web
| url = http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/main/ssc_A-3_test_stand_ea.html
| title = Environmental Assessment for Stennis Space Center A-3 Test Stand
| publisher = NASA
}}</ref> However, because the Constellation Program was cancelled in 2010, the stand is expected to be unused after its completion. The A-3 stand may however, be able to be refurnished to test a new mission when needed. In 2014, journalists writing for {{wipe|Bloomberg News}} and the Washington Times criticized the continued construction work on the $350&nbsp;million test stand, and characterized it as a wasteful [[Social:Earmark (politics)|earmark]] by Mississippi U.S. senator Roger F. Wicker.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-08/congress-makes-nasa-finish-useless-350-million-structure.html | work=Bloomberg | first=Jonathan D | last=Salant | title=Congress Makes NASA Finish Useless $350 Million Structure | date=January 8, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jan/30/golden-hammer-350-million-nasa-project-to-be-compl/|title=Golden Hammer: $350 million NASA project to be completed, then mothballed because of lack of need|newspaper=The Washington Times}}</ref>

American-New Zealand launch service provider [[Company:Rocket Lab|Rocket Lab]] intends to use the A-3 stand to develop and test their Archimedes reusable rocket engine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-21 |title=Rocket Lab Selects NASA Stennis Space Center for Neutron Engine Test Facility |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220921005428/en/Rocket-Lab-Selects-NASA-Stennis-Space-Center-for-Neutron-Engine-Test-Facility |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=www.businesswire.com |language=en}}</ref>

== E Test stand complex ==
[[File:E Test Stand at SSC.jpg|thumb|left|E test stand complex in 2005]]
In the 1990s, a new test complex named "E" was constructed to test a variety of new small engine and single/multiple components and concepts. The E test stand complex consists of four distinct test stands

=== E1 Test stand ===

==== History ====

In 2012, [[Company:Blue Origin|Blue Origin]] tested the thrust chamber assembly at the E-1 test cell for its new {{convert|100000|lbf|kN}} thrust BE-3 liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen rocket engine. As part of Blue's Reusable Booster System (RBS), the engines are designed eventually to launch the biconic-shaped Space Vehicle{{clarify|date=October 2013}}<!-- is this a proper noun? yes --> the company is developing.<ref name=13-311 >{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/press/2013/october/nasa-administrator-visits-stennis-to-commend-employee-efforts/#.Um4CSRAt2M0 |title=NASA Administrator Visits Stennis to Commend Employee Efforts &#124; NASA |publisher=Nasa.gov |date=2013-10-23 |access-date=2013-12-11}}</ref><ref name=sn20131025/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/crew/blue-origin-be3.html |title=NASA - Blue Origin Tests Rocket Engine Thrust Chamber |publisher=Nasa.gov |date=2012-10-15 |access-date=2013-12-11}}</ref>

On 22 May 2014, an [[Astronomy:NK-33#Aerojet AJ26|AJ26]] rocket engine under test on the Stennis E-1 test stand, for a future Orbital Sciences [[Engineering:Antares (rocket)|Antares]] launch, failed and caused major damage to the E-1 test stand.  As of 10 June, neither NASA, Orbital, nor [[Company:Aerojet Rocketdyne|Aerojet Rocketdyne]] have released any additional information on the extent of the damage, nor time frame when the three test cells in the E-1 test stand will return to operational status.<ref name=nsf20140610>
{{cite news |last1=Bergin|first1=Chris |title=Commercial duo refine upcoming launch dates |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/06/commercial-duo-refine-upcoming-launch-dates/  |access-date=2014-06-11 |publisher=NASAspaceflight.com |date=2014-06-10}}</ref> As of early June 2014, the E-1 test stand was non-operational pending the completion of an investigation into a rocket engine failure on the test stand on 22 May 2014.<ref name=nsf20140610/>

In June 2015, [[Company:Aerojet Rocketdyne|Aerojet Rocketdyne]] signed a contract with NASA to upgrade the E-1 test stand so that the "multi-element pre-burner and main injector" of the AR-1 rocket engine could be tested there, with a goal of first flight of the new AR-1 engine after 2019.<ref name=si20150619>{{cite news|title=NASA signs SAA with Aerojet Rocketdyne to use Stennis test stand for AR1 engine|url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/space-centers/stennis-space-center/nasa-signs-saa-with-aerojet-rocketdyne-to-use-stennis-test-stand-for-ar1-engine/ |url-status=dead |access-date=23 June 2015|work=Spaceflight Insider|date=2015-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619213717/http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/space-centers/stennis-space-center/nasa-signs-saa-with-aerojet-rocketdyne-to-use-stennis-test-stand-for-ar1-engine/|archive-date=19 June 2015}}</ref>

==== Description ====
The stand is composed of three individual test "cells":<ref>{{cite web|title=NASA Facts: Stennis Space Center: Propulsion Testing|url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/pdf/156282main_fs-2006-08-00035-ssc.pdf|publisher=NASA|access-date=February 13, 2023}}</ref>
:*E1 Cell 1 can handle liquid-propellant and hybrid based test articles up to {{convert|750000|lbf|kN}} of thrust in a horizontal position.
:*E1 Cells 2 and 3 are designed to support LOX and LH2 turbopump assemblies for testing with high-pressure propellant feeds.

=== E2 Test stand ===
The E2 test facility at Stennis has multiple test cells that support three separate test stands (Cell 1 and Cell 2), for testing horizontally-mounted engines and for vertically mounted vehicle stages and/or engines. Cell 1 can support engines with up to {{convert|100000|lbf|kN}} of thrust while Cell 2 can support vehicle stages with up to {{convert|324000|lbf|kN}} of thrust.<ref name=sn20131025/>{{update after|2019|1|2}} 
The facility can provide liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, liquid hydrogen, liquid methane, rocket-grade kerosene (RP1), {{H2O-nl}}, gaseous hydrogen, "hot" gaseous hydrogen, gaseous oxygen and gaseous nitrogen.<ref name="AIAA2005">{{cite book
|chapter-url=https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/abs/10.2514/6.2005-4419
|chapter=Propulsion Testing Capabilities at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center E-2 Cell 1 Test Facility
|date=19 June 2012
|publisher=AIAA
|doi=10.2514/6.2005-4419
|access-date=8 July 2022
|chapter-url-access=subscription
|title=41st AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit
|last1=Jacks
|first1=Thomas
|last2=Klein
|first2=Kerry
|last3=Camus
|first3=William
|last4=Lott
|first4=Jeffrey
|last5=Mulkey
|first5=Christopher
|isbn=978-1-62410-063-5
}}</ref>

E2 Cell 1, originally known as the High Heat Flux Facility (HHFF), was constructed in 1993 to support materials development for the National Aerospace Plane (NASP).<ref name=sn20131025/><ref name="AIAA2005"/>

The E2 test stand was modified after 2013 to support liquid methane engine testing, with funds being provided by [[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]], the Mississippi Development Authority ({{US$|500,000}} using funding from state bond issues), and NASA (up to {{US$|600,000}}). {{as of|2013|10}}, the SpaceX funding commitment to the methane modification project has not yet been disclosed, as the [[Astronomy:Space Act Agreement|contract]] has not yet been finalized and executed. The methane modifications will become a permanent part of the Stennis test infrastructure and will be available to other users of the test facility after the SpaceX facility lease is completed.<ref name=sn20131025>
{{cite news |last=Leone|first=Dan |title=SpaceX Could Begin Testing Methane-fueled Engine at Stennis Next Year |url=http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/37859spacex-could-begin-testing-methane-fueled-engine-at-stennis-next-year |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131025232611/http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/37859spacex-could-begin-testing-methane-fueled-engine-at-stennis-next-year |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 25, 2013 |access-date=2013-10-26 |newspaper=Space News |date=2013-10-25 }}</ref>
{{as of|2013|10}}, the most recent test completed on the E2 test stand had been a 2012 NASA test of chemical steam generators.<ref name=sn20131025/>

Beginning in 2014, [[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]] conducted component tests of their liquid methane/liquid oxygen Raptor rocket engine on the E2 test stand. This testing was limited to components of the Raptor engine, since the test stand is not large enough to test the full Raptor engine, which is rated to generate more than {{convert|661000|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} vacuum thrust.<ref name=13-311/><ref name=sn20131025/><ref name=nasa201509/>
SpaceX completed a "round of main injector testing in late 2014," and a "full-power<!-- the source, but not this particular quotation, also clarifies that this was a test of "full-scale" components at full-power --> test of the oxygen preburner component" for Raptor by June 2015.<ref name=nasa201509>
{{cite web |title=NASA-SpaceX testing partnership going strong |url=http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/septemberlagniappe2.pdf |date=September 2015 |work=Lagniappe, John C. Stennis Space Center |publisher=NASA |volume=10 |issue=9 |access-date=2016-01-10 |quote=''this project is strictly private industry development for commercial use'' }}</ref><!-- source includes photograph (Wiki-licensable) of the "test of the oxygen preburner component being developed by SpaceX for its Raptor rocket engine" -->

=== E3 Test stand ===
The E3 test stand consists of two test cells for component and pilot scale combustion device testing:
*E3 Cell 1 can support devices up to {{convert|60000|lbf}} thrust in a horizontal position. Propellant supports includes LOX or gaseous oxygen/hydrocarbon, gaseous oxygen/gaseous hydrogen and hybrid.
*E3 Cell 2 can support devices up to {{convert|25000|lbf}} thrust in a vertical position. Propellent configurations are similar to E3 Cell 1 with the addition of [[Chemistry:Hydrogen peroxide|hydrogen peroxide]] based devices.

A series of tests conducted in the late 1990s eventually led to the commercialization of hybrid rocket motors.
Test firing an American Rocket Company (AMROC) hybrid rocket motor at NASA's Stennis Space Center in 1994{{clarify|date=December 2013}}.<!-- this is not a complete sentence --><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacesafetymagazine.com/2013/07/12/hybrid-rocket-overview-part-2/ |title=Hybrid Rocket Overview, Part 2 |publisher=Space Safety Magazine |date=2013-07-12 |access-date=2013-12-11}}</ref>

=== E4 Test stand ===
The E4 test stand consists of four 32 foot tall concrete-walled cells and an associated concrete foundation; a 1,344 square foot hardened and conditioned Signal Conditioning Building; a 12,825 square foot high bay with 10 ton bridge crane, shop area with 1 ton bridge crane, and a 7,000 square foot blast hardened Test Control Center; and two 1,400 square foot raised-floor control rooms.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=c560f730771b0e19fa1dfd1d7eac1de1&tab=core&tabmode=list&=|title=NASA / SSC Facility RFI - Federal Business Opportunities: Opportunities|website=www.fbo.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-02-24}}</ref> The site also includes underground deluge water piping; underground power, data, and control duct banks; and potable water. The E4 hard stand system was designed to accommodate up to 500,000 pounds-force (2,224&nbsp;kN) engines and [[Engineering:Powerpack (rocket engine)|powerpack]] systems testing in a horizontal configuration.<ref name="auto"/> The E4 test stand was proposed in the year 2000 to be located near the H1 test stand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ssc.nasa.gov/environmental/pdf/E4earev%20DOC.pdf|title=Environmental Assessment for the E4 Test Stand|last=Magee|first=Ronald|date=June 2000|website=NASA Stennis Space Center}}</ref>

{{clear|left}}

== H-1 Test stand ==
In 2001, the Pentagon's Ballistic Missile Defense Organization proposed construction of a $140&nbsp;million facility at Stennis H-1 test stand to test its proposed Space-Based Laser (SBL) to begin in the first quarter of fiscal year 2002. The facility was to be used to evaluate beam quality, efficiency, and power levels for a prototype megawatt-class hydrogen fluoride laser.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spinoff.nasa.gov/spinoff2001/stennis.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301185038/http://spinoff.nasa.gov/spinoff2001/stennis.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-03-01 |title=Stennis Space Center |publisher=Spinoff.nasa.gov |date=2011-05-01 |access-date=2013-12-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Environmental Resources Document |url=https://www.ssc.nasa.gov/environmental/pdf/ER1.pdf |access-date=January 4, 2023 |date=April 2001}}</ref>

In 2007, British manufacturer Rolls-Royce plc has been operating an outdoor aero-engine test facility built on the old H1 test area. Rolls-Royce constructed the facility due to noise pollution concerns at its {{wipe|United Kingdom}} testing facility at Hucknall Airfield near its headquarters in Derby.<ref name="rollsroyce">{{cite web|url=https://portairspace.com/news/article/rolls-royce-celebrates-10-year-anniversary-at-stennis-space-center |title=Rolls-Royce Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary at Stennis Space Center|date=October 27, 2017|website=portairspace.com|access-date=February 13, 2023}}</ref>

In 2013, a second test stand was opened by Rolls-Royce.<ref>{{cite web|author=Mississippi |url=http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/10/rolls-royce_opens_second_engin.html |title=Rolls-Royce opens second engine test stand at Stennis Space Center &#124; gulflive.com |publisher=Blog.gulflive.com |date=2013-10-16 |access-date=2013-12-11}}</ref>

{{clear|left}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Space Shuttle Main Engine test on A-1 in Stennis Space Center.jpg|Shuttle main engine test in the A-1 Test Stand.
File:Building a Test Stand.jpg|Construction of the A-2 Test Stand.
File:Stennis A3 test stand construction.jpg|A-3 test stand under construction in March 2011.
File:Close-up of SSME (94-engine).jpeg|Test firing of a Space Shuttle Main Engine in the A-1 Test Stand.
File:Liquid O2 Tank A-3 Test Stand Stennis Space Center.jpg|Installation of a 35,000-gallon [[Physics:Liquid oxygen|Liquid oxygen]] tank atop the A-3 Test Stand.
File:Stennis Headquarters.jpg|NASA's Stennis Headquarters
</gallery>

== Tenant facilities ==
In 2005, the center was home to over 30 government agencies and private companies. By far the largest of these were elements of the United States Navy with some 3,500 personnel, which was far larger than the NASA civil servant contingent. Some of the prominent resident agencies include:<ref>{{cite web|title=Stennis Space Center Resident Agencies|url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/pdf/209758main_fs-2008-01-00051-ssc.pdf|publisher=NASA|date= January 2008|access-date=February 13, 2023}}</ref>

=== US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ===

* The [[Organization:National Data Buoy Center|National Data Buoy Center]] (NDBC) is a part of the [[Organization:National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]'s (NOAA) [[Earth:National Weather Service|National Weather Service]] (NWS). NDBC designs, develops, operates, and maintains a network of data collecting buoys and coastal stations.<ref>{{cite web|title=NOAA homeports navigation response team at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi|url=https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/updates/noaa-homeports-navigation-response-team-at-stennis-space-center-mississippi/|website=noaa.gov|date=January 4, 2017 |access-date=February 13, 2023}}</ref>
* [[Organization:National Centers for Environmental Information|National Centers for Environmental Information]]
* National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Region, Field Office Stennis Space Center
* [[Organization:Office of Ocean Exploration and Research|Office of Ocean Exploration and Research]]

=== US Geological Survey ===

* The US Geological Survey Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility<ref>{{cite web|title=The USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF) is located in Building 2101 of the Stennis Space Center, Mississippi.|url=https://www.usgs.gov/labs/hydrologic-instrumentation-facility/connect/locations|website=USGS.gov|access-date=February 13, 2023}}</ref>

=== United States Navy ===
* The [[Organization:Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command|Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command]] (NAVMETOCCOM) or NMOC, serves as the operational arm of the Naval Oceanography Program. Headquartered at the SSC, NMOC is a third echelon command reporting to Naval Information Dominance Forces (NAVIDFOR), previously United States Fleet Forces Command (USFLTFORCOM).
* A branch of the Naval Research Laboratory
* The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) comprises approximately 1,000 civilian, military and contract personnel responsible for providing oceanographic products and services to all elements within the Department of Defense.
* The Department of the Navy, Office of Civilian Human Resources, Stennis Operations Center
* Navy Special Boat Team 22 and NAVSCIATTS (Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School).

=== United States Coast Guard ===
*Port Security Unit 308

== University ==
*[[Organization:Mississippi State University|Mississippi State University]]
**[[Organization:High Performance Computing Collaboratory|High Performance Computing Collaboratory]]
**Geosystems Research Institute
**Northern Gulf Institute 
* The University of Southern Mississippi
**High Performance Visualization Center
** [http://www.usm.edu/marine Department of Marine Science]

=== Commercial ===
* Rolls-Royce Outdoor Engine Testing Centre<ref name="rollsroyce"/>
* [[Company:United Launch Alliance|United Launch Alliance]] engine testing
* The [[Company:Lockheed Martin|Lockheed Martin]] Mississippi Space and Technology Center<ref>{{cite web|title=Lockheed Martin Mississippi Space & Technology Center Opens Doors At John C. Stennis Space Center, MS|date=August 5, 2002|url=https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2002-08-05-Lockheed-Martin-Mississippi-Space-Technology-Center-Opens-Doors-At-John-C-Stennis-Space-Center-MS|website=Lockheed Martin|access-date=February 13, 2023}}</ref>

=== Former tenant organizations ===
* Mississippi Army Ammunition Plant

=== INFINITY Science Center ===
[[File:F-1 Engine at INFINITY Science Center.jpg|thumb|F-1 engine on display at INFINITY science center.]]
The INFINITY Science Center is a non-profit museum that hosts the [[Organization:NASA|NASA]] visitor center for John C. Stennis Space Center.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official site|url=http://www.visitinfinity.com/|publisher=INFINITY Science Center|access-date=24 April 2015}}</ref> The {{convert|72000|sqft|sqm}} facility is located adjacent to the Mississippi Welcome Center near the MS/LA border.

The themes of the center's interactive exhibits include Mississippi Natural History, NASA, space, planets, stars, weather, Earth science, space travel and exploration. Displays include the [[Engineering:Apollo 4|Apollo 4]] command module, a full-sized [[Astronomy:International Space Station|International Space Station]] module, a cutaway model of the [[Engineering:Orion (spacecraft)|Orion]] spacecraft, and components from a space-flown [[Engineering:Space Shuttle main engine|RS-25 Space Shuttle Main Engine]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.visitinfinity.com/exhibits/space-gallery/
|title=Space Gallery
|website=INFINITY Science Center
|access-date=8 July 2022
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507161636/http://www.visitinfinity.com/exhibits/space-gallery
|archive-date=7 May 2015}}</ref> Outdoor displays include an F-1 rocket engine, a [[Tsunami|tsunami]] [[Earth:Buoy|buoy]], U.S. Navy riverine training boat and the Apollo 19 Saturn V first stage rocket booster (acquired from NASA Michoud Assembly).

The INFINITY Science Center officially opened in April 2012 to replace the old {{convert|14000|sqft|sqm}} StenniSphere visitors center.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitinfinity.com/about-us/history/|title=History of INFINITY Science Center|publisher=NASA|access-date=2012-09-13}}</ref>

=== StenniSphere ===
The museum and visitor center for the Stennis Space Center was known as '''StenniSphere'''. Upon the imminent opening of the new INFINITY Science Center, StenniSphere closed its doors to the public on February 15, 2012.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=NASA|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/news/newsreleases/2012/CLT-12-012.html|title=StenniSphere Museum and Visitor Center to Close|date=Jan 30, 2012}}</ref> Unlike INFINITY, the StenniSphere building is located within the grounds of the Stennis Space Center. Exhibits focused on the activities of NASA, space, space exploration, science, geography, weather and more. Many of the exhibits from StenniSphere have been moved into the new INFINITY visitor facility.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/news/index.html ''Lagniappe'' official newsletter]
* [http://www.visitinfinity.com/ INFINITY Science Center]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100528141625/http://sscfreedom.ssc.nasa.gov/etd/MPGs/250K_Seq_01.mpg Movie of a test for a 250K hybrid rocket motor]
<!-- put these here, at least until they get their own articles -->
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040703134315/http://www.hpvc.chl.state.ms.us/ High Performance Visualization Center homepage]
* [http://ndbc.noaa.gov National Data Buoy Center]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040626061459/https://www.cnmoc.navy.mil/ Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050317123220/http://www.robotscience.com/ Robot Science Group] 
* [http://www.visitinfinity.com/ INFINITY Science Center at Stennis Space Center]
* [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/aviation/ Aviation: From Sand Dunes to Sonic Booms, a National Park Service ''Discover Our Shared Heritage'' Travel Itinerary]
* [http://libarchstor.uah.edu:8081/repositories/2/resources/120 Stennis Space Center Collection, The University of Alabama in Huntsville Archives and Special Collections]

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