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In this very successful test the Scorpius engine was fired
continuously for 200 sec on Nov. 18, 1995. The engine was in
excellent condition at the end of the test, with minimal throat
erosion. (This was assumed to be the life limiting component.)
The engine performed extremely well with all engine parameters at
nominal values throughout the burn. After the firing, the
life-time of the engine was estimated at over 400 sec. The
longest burn time in the ascent-to-orbit profile is only 180 sec.
This series of tests was performed at the Energetic Materials
Research Test Center at New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM. The design
being tested is the 5,000 lb vacuum thrust engine (with a
shortened nozzle for sea level testing), to be used in the
sub-orbital vehicles and the Liberty Light-Lift launcher.
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