Raptor tests to begin within month

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – Testing of a new, more powerful SpaceX engine will begin within a month at NASA's rocket engine test facility in South Mississippi. A ceremonial ribbon-cutting was held today marking the start of a partnership between SpaceX and Stennis Space Center. SpaceX, which has already successfully completed resupply missions to the International Space Station, plans to test its methane-fueled Raptor rocket engine on the E-2 test stand. The reuseable engine is being developed for a heavy-lift launch vehicle. "In partnership with NASA, SpaceX has helped create one of the most advanced engine testing facilities in the world, and we look forward to putting the stand to good use," said Gwynne Shotwell, president and chief operating officer of SpaceX. "These types of activities are opening new doors of commercial space exploration for companies," said Stennis Center Director Rick Gilbrech. SpaceX's Dragon space capsule successfully docked with the ISS Sunday, its third resupply mission. (Source: GCAC, 04/21/14)