The tests are designed to measure the performance of the Atlas III propulsion system, which includes avionics and propellant tanks and lines, and how these components interact with the RD-180 engine.
Preliminary data indicate the test achieved good results.
In today's test the engine operated at 85 percent power. About 500 special sensors are attached to the engine and Marshall's Advanced Engine Test Facility to gather information. The data provided by this instrumentation will help engineers assess the performance of the engine configuration being tested. Examination of the data will continue for several days.