The American space agency NASA has successfully tested the RS-25 engine, which will power the Space Launch System (SLS). The engine was fired up for the sixth time at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi for 535 seconds.

RS-25 engines are not new into the field they have been earlier known as the main Space Shuttle engines back in the day. But still, these engines need to be re-tested as the SLS is much bigger than others and also requires bulks of extra power.

Data that the agency has collected from the test fires of the engines will help in efficiently designing a new engine controller and software for the rocket.

The SLS was created specifically to launch the Orion spacecraft for future deep-space missions, including both unmanned and manned trips to Mars. If everything went as planned the craft will ferry an unmanned capsule to space for the first time most probably in 2018.

The agency even live streamed the test which was shown live on NASA TV. It was third of four preparing upgraded shuttle engines to lift NASA's Space Launch System exploration rocket, whose core stage will be powered by four of the RS-25 engines.

The Aerojet Rocketdyne engine is equipped with a new controller, or 'brain', among its improvements. Shuttles flew with three reusable main engines positioned at the back of the orbiter, and they were refurbished between missions. SLS engines will not be recovered, and NASA plans to restart production of the RS-25.

It has been said that two stretched versions of shuttle solid rocket boosters also will help to lift the SLS rocket early in flight, for at least during the first two launches. These engines also will not be recovered as they were with shuttles.