Space Shuttle Main Engine Test Firign at Stennis to be Shown Live on Internet

HANCOCK COUNTY, Miss. – The public is invited to experience “virtually” the
shake, rattle and
roar of a night test of a Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) at NASA’s John C.
Stennis Space Center.

For the first time ever, the public can view an engine test at Stennis live
on the Internet. The
spectacular test is scheduled for ignition at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, and
those wishing to see the test
online may log onto http://www.ssc.nasa.gov Friday, beginning at 5:30 p.m.,
and click on the scrolling
link.
Stennis Space Center is NASA’s proving ground for all Space Shuttle Main
Engines and plays
an integral role in testing component and propulsion systems for the future.
The Nov. 8 test,
scheduled to last approximately 520 seconds, will be a demonstrated
reliability test for the Block II
Space Shuttle Main Engine.

“This is an opportunity to share the excitement of a Space Shuttle Main
Engine test with
others,” said NASA’s Robert Lightfoot, director, Propulsion Test Directorate
at Stennis. “We hope to
give them a ‘virtual’ thrill by sharing the experience online.”
For more information, contact NASA’s Paul Foerman, public affairs specialist
at Stennis, at
(228) 688-3341.