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Testing Timeline

Researchers operate an engine in Cell 2 — Researchers operate an engine in Cell 2 from the adjacent control room in June 1945.

Lists of tests conducted throughout the years in each of the Special Project Laboratory’s main test cells.

Cell 1 Tests

1943-1947—General Electric J31 thrust augmentation
1948-1949—Engine controls, fuel atomization and vibration tests
1949-1957—Turbine blade materials
1966—Afterburner control
1971-1973—Low Cost Engine program
1982-1992—Turbine blade durability (Replaceable Blade Facility)
1992-2017—Turbine blade durability (Hot Corrosion Test Rig)

Cell 2 Tests

1944-1949—General Electric J31 and J33 thrust augmentation
1950-1958—Turbine blade cooling and materials
1959-1965—Insulation and materials for cryogenic fuel tanks
1966-1971—General Electric J85 for supersonic transport study
1976-1977—Allison T-63 helicopter engine

Cell 3 Tests

1945-1950—General Electric J33 thrust augmentation
1950-1958—Turbine blade cooling
1959—Materials for solid rocket nozzle
1971-2000s—Materials fatigue testing in burner rigs

Cell 4 Tests

1945-1950—General Electric J35 and Westinghouse J34 thrust augmentation
1950-1957—Turbine blade materials and cooling
1961-1962—Plasma coating gun
1972-2000s—Materials fatigue testing in burner rigs
1981—Fracture rig

Cell 5 Tests

1947-1950—Engine vibration, temperature distribution and combustion
1949-1950—Materials testing
1950-1958—Engine control systems
1972-2000s—Materials testing in furnaces and burner rigs

Cell 6 Tests

1947-1952—General Electric J35 and J47 thrust augmentation
1953-1960—Turbine cooling
1961—Propellant tank impact tests
1976—Mach 0.3 burner rig testing
1977-1978—Chrysler automotive Stirling engine
1989-2017—Materials testing (High Pressure Burner Rig)

Researcher checks the Thermal Fatigue Rig in the JPSL (1959).

Researchers prepare for a test in the gamma radiation pool in a former sping pit (1960) — Researchers prepare for a test in the gamma radiation pool in a former sping pit (1960).

Researchers prepare an engine for testing in the SPL (1971) — Researchers prepare an engine for testing in the SPL (1971).

Researchers work with a phase shifter in the SPL (1979) — Researchers work with a phase shifter in the SPL (1979).

NASA researcher adjusts high temperature furnace in the SPL (1986) — NASA researcher adjusts high temperature furnace in the SPL (1986).

Ceramics researchers at the SPL (1999) — Ceramics researchers at the SPL (1999).

Materials researchers Robert Miller and Dongming Zhu with a laser rig (2003) — Materials researchers Robert Miller and Dongming Zhu with a laser rig (2003).

Researcher at table with test articles and rig — Researcher works with Biaxial Test Rig in the SPL (1986).

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