Northrop Grumman has conducted the first static fire test of NASA’s Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) solid rocket booster, the most powerful segmented solid rocket motor ever developed for human spaceflight. The test was held on June 26, 2025, at the company’s Promontory, Utah facility.
The BOLE motor, measuring 156 feet in length, produced over 4 million pounds of thrust during a two-minute ground firing. Equipped with more than 700 sensors, the test aimed to evaluate the motor’s performance under realistic conditions.
BOLE represents an evolution of the five-segment boosters currently used in NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS). Key upgrades include a new carbon fiber composite casing, a revised solid propellant formulation, and modernized internal components. The improved design offers more than 10 percent increased performance and an estimated five metric tons of additional payload capacity to lunar orbit.
The use of composite casing enables faster manufacturing, reduces overall mass, and aligns with commercial aerospace standards. Additionally, Northrop Grumman emphasized the inclusion of domestically sourced metallic components, supporting an all-American supply chain for future production.
While the test appeared successful through most of the burn duration, the company reported an anomaly near the end of the firing sequence. The cause remains under evaluation, with engineers reviewing data to guide further design refinements.
The BOLE booster is part of NASA’s broader effort to modernize propulsion systems for future Artemis missions and beyond. By addressing obsolescence issues and enhancing performance, the new booster is expected to play a central role in enabling heavier payloads for deep space exploration.