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NASA Just Tested The Most Powerful Rocket Booster In History

The booster generated 3.6 million pounds of thrust.
NASA rocket test
NASA
NASA rocket test

NASA fired up a booster for the most powerful rocket in the world on Tuesday, testing what will become part of the Space Launch System.

SLS, as it's known, will ultimately be used to launch Orion spacecraft on deep-space missions, including a planned trip to Mars.

"Seeing this test today, and experiencing the sound and feel of approximately 3.6 million pounds of thrust, helps us appreciate the progress we’re making to advance human exploration and open new frontiers for science and technology missions in deep space," William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said in a news release.

Until now, the most powerful rocket in history was the Saturn V used in the Apollo program.

Tuesday's firing at Orbital ATK's test facilities in Promontory, Utah, allowed NASA engineers to gather data on 82 qualification objectives, which will now be evaluated, the space agency said.

When used in deep space missions, the SLS will be powered by two five-segment boosters and four RS-25 main engines, or the same engines that powered the space shuttle program.