NASA’s Stennis Space Center joined Evolution Space to announce plans for the aerospace company to establish production and testing operations for solid rocket motors onsite.
The announcement grants access for Evolution Space to establish its Minor Scale Propulsion Center, while also opening the door to a larger future presence at the center.
It also marks the first time in Stennis’ 62-year history to support the production and testing of solid rocket motors and continues the center’s efforts to maximize the use of its unique location, operating model, and propulsion infrastructure and capabilities by commercial aerospace companies and others.
“This is another great addition to south Mississippi’s commercial space engagement,” Center Director Dr. Rick Gilbrech said. “Evolution Space gains access to critical NASA Stennis infrastructure and expertise as it continues to build its propulsion capabilities. In turn, we continue frontline work with commercial companies as we support NASA’s commitment to increase access to space and grow our federal city. We look forward to working with Evolution Space.”
Under the arrangement, Evolution Space gains access to previously vacant NASA Stennis facilities to mix, cast, and store propellants.
“By partnering with NASA, we are able to rapidly stand up a facility which will add considerable capability to the US solid rocket motor industrial base,” Manny Ballestero, Evolution Space vice president of production and development, explained. “We look forward to the future of our partnership as we continue to expand our presence at Stennis.”
The company will also use the E-3 Test Complex at NASA Stennis to conduct solid rocket motor hot fires onsite for the first time.
Evolution Space will provide all equipment, components, and electrical systems needed for a blended team of company and NASA personnel to test the motors.
Stennis, which serves as the nation’s largest propulsion test site, features a secure setting and 125,000-acre acoustical buffer zone that enables 24-hour operations and testing.
Historically, the site has supported propulsion projects that use liquid fuels and oxidizers as propellants. For solid rocket motors, fuel and oxidizer are mixed together into a solid propellant.
“Evolution Space is moving fast and scaling with purpose,” Josh Marino, vice president of operations at Evolution Space, stated. “We see our collaboration with the NASA Stennis propulsion center as a strategic expansion to help meet the growing demands of both the commercial and defense sectors.”
Evolution Space’s production facility is expected to be operational by the spring of 2024.
