HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Students, teachers and USSRC guests are invited to watch in high definition the historic test-firing of the QM-1, the solid rocket booster that will power missions to Mars. The test firing of the five-segment QM-1 solid rocket booster is scheduled to take place Wednesday, March 11 at 10:30 a.m., CST, and we’ll it have it playing on the large-scale screen in our National Geographic Theater.
A spokesperson from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center will be also on hand to provide an overview of the QM-1 test, explain NASA’s future missions and answer questions. The QM-1 is the largest solid rocket booster ever built and will produce 3.6 million pounds of maximum thrust when fired.
After the test-fire, Terry Abel, Lockheed Martin Orion Project Manager, powers up a demonstration of rocket engines in an exciting display of propulsion in our Apollo courtyard. Able will demonstrate how solid and liquid rocket fuel differs. The demonstration will showcase solid rocket fuel forms and ignite them in a brilliant showcase of solid propellant.