Destructive Anomaly Marks Fire Test of New SLS Rocket Booster for Lunar and Mars Missions

The fire tests of the new version of the solid rocket booster for the Space Launch System (SLS) ended with the destruction of the nozzle. Northrop Grumman conducted the initial demonstration of the five-segment Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) solid rocket motor on June 26 at the Promontory test site in Utah. The booster operated for over two minutes in a horizontal position.

One hundred seconds into the test, engine exhaust began to emerge from the nozzle. A few seconds later, an explosion occurred, resulting in the nozzle’s destruction.

While it initially appeared that the engine was handling the harsh combustion conditions effectively, experts detected an anomaly closer to the end of the two-minute operation, stated Jim Carberer, Northrop Grumman’s vice president of propulsion systems. The company has not provided specifics regarding the anomaly.

Carberer noted that through these tests, Northrop Grumman has «pushed the boundaries of designing large solid rocket motors.» He emphasized that the latest test offers valuable data for making necessary design adjustments for future developments.

The BOLE design is intended for use in SLS missions starting with «Artemis-9» in the 2030s. However, NASA’s budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year suggests canceling the SLS program after the «Artemis-3» mission. The Senate’s version of the agency’s budget appears to be more favorable, allowing for the launches of «Artemis-4» and «Artemis-5» using SLS.