Thousands of gallons of water pour onto a mobile launch platform and launch pad 39A during a test of the sound suppression system for the space shuttle in 2004. During the test, 300,000 gallons (1,100,000 liters) of water poured over the pad in 41 seconds. When NASA's new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket lifts off with Orion in 2020, its four RS-25 engines and two solid rocket boosters will produce a combined 8.4 million pounds of thrust, and with that comes a torrent of heat and noise. To help protect the SLS rocket, Orion spacecraft, Mobile Launcher, and launch pad from the extreme acoustic and temperature environment, water will spray onto the launch pad during ignition and liftoff. The Exploration Ground Systems team at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida began testing the water deluge system late last year and conducted another test last May. More exciting progress to come from the space coast next week! Credit: NASA #nasa #mobilelauncher #mlmove #exploration #nasaksc #engi...