The J-2X was intended to be based on the J-2 used on the S-II and S-IVB stages of the Saturn rockets used during the Apollo program, but as required thrust for the Ares I increased due to weight problems it became a clean-sheet design. It entered development in 2007 as part of the now-cancelled Constellation program.[2] Originally planned for use on the upper stages of the Ares I and Ares V rockets, the J-2X was later intended for use in the Earth Departure Stage of the Block 2 Space Launch System, the successor to the Constellation program. The engine is intended to be more efficient and simpler to build than its J-2 ancestor, and cost less than the RS-25 engine.[1] Differences in the new engine include the removal of beryllium, a centrifugal turbo pump versus the axial turbo pump of the J-2, different chamber and nozzle expansion ratios, a channel-walled combustion chamber versus the tube-welded chamber of the J-2, a redesign of all the electronics, a gas generator and supersonic main injector based on the RS-68,[3] and the use of 21st-century joining techniques.[2][4]
Testing
On 16 July 2007 NASA officially announced the award to Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) of a $1.2 billion contract "for design, development, testing and evaluation of the J-2X engine",[5] and began construction of a new test stand for altitude testing of J-2X engines at Stennis Space Center on 23 August 2007.[6]
Component testing was undertaken between December 2007 and May 2008, with nine tests of heritage J-2 engine components at SSC in preparation for the design of the J-2X engine.[7] and on 8 September 2008 PWR announced successful testing of the initial J-2X gas generator design.[8] The completion of a second round of successful gas generator tests was announced on 21 September 2010.[9]
Starting in 2011, the full J-2X engine, derived from heritage and new designs, has undergone hot-fire tests.
In October 2013, it was reported that work on the J-2X would pause following development testing in 2014, due to funding limitations, an expected delayed need for the engine's capabilities for piloted missions to Mars, and selection[18] of the RL10 powered Exploration Upper Stage for SLS.[19]
In September 2022, the components of the J-2X were put up for auction on GSA Auctions, likely confirming the cancellation of the program.[20]