Final Motor Test of Shuttle Program Conducted in Utah

NASA and Alliant Techsystems (ATK) conducted the final test firing of a space shuttle reusable solid-rocket motor Feb. 25 at an ATK Launch Systems site in Promontory, Utah.

The flight support motor burned for approximately 123 seconds, the same length of time each solid-rocket booster burns during a shuttle launch.

NASA said the purpose of the test — the 52nd conducted by ATK since 1977 — was to ensure the safety of the four remaining shuttle missions the U.S. space agency intends to fly before retiring the three-orbiter fleet from service.