Orbital ATK on Tuesday finished its "hot fire" testing of its new and upgraded Antares rocket, weeks before the booster returns to flight late this summer.
The 30-second test, which occurred at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad 0A in Virginia at 5:30 p.m. EDT, follows the dramatic launch explosion of Orb-3 rocket almost two years ago.
The explosion destroyed Orb-3 and its Cygnus cargo ship. The launch equipment and pads were replaced.
Since the incident, Orbital ATK has redesigned and improved its Antares Aerojet AJ26 engines. These new engines were tested Tuesday.
The aim of the hot fire test was to prove that everything -- from the engine and the avionics to the launch pad equipment -- work together seamlessly.
Specifically, the test validated the functionality of the first stage -- avionics, modified Stage 1 core, pad fueling systems and thrust vector control -- in an operational environment.
Tuesday's test reached a couple of milestones such as launch countdown and engine ignition, full propellant loading sequence and shutdown commands.
It also validated the operation of the launch pad, such as the use of water deluge system and propellant tanking. The deluge system would protect the pad from destruction and suppress noise.
Orbital ATK manager Mike Pinkston says evidence shows that the rocket's upgraded propulsion system, launch complex and core stage all function together as designed.
With the success of the test and assuming data turns out to be excellent, Orbital ATK can start sending its Cygnus cargo ship to the International Space Station on its own vehicle.
Orbital ATK has to meet contractual obligations with NASA and maintain a steady flow of supplies to the ISS. To do so, the company bought two Atlas V rockets from United Launch Alliance (ULA).
One of the rockets successfully flew in December 2015 and delivered supply and equipment to the space station. The Atlas V rocket carried more than 7,000 pounds of resources for astronauts aboard the ISS.
Another rocket was sent to space in March this year, lifting 7,500 pounds of supply for microgravity research and other studies. This Cygnus cargo ship is still attached to the space habitat and will remain until June 14.
Watch the successful hot fire test below.
