Re-engined' Antares Rocket Completes Crucial Engine Test Firing

Orbital ATK announced late Tuesday that the company's Antares medium-class commercial rocket outfitted with new first stage RD-181 engines has successfully completed a test firing of the powerplants. The 30-second long static test firing took place at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday evening, May 31, at Virginia Space's Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad 0A. The now revamped launch vehicle - dubbed Antares 230 - has been 're-engined' and upgraded with a pair of modern and more powerful first stage engi...