How WARE Helps NASA Test Rocket Engines on Earth

How Are Rocket Engines Tested on Earth?

Before a rocket engine is ever cleared for launch, engineers need to understand exactly how it will perform in the harsh conditions of space. Since those conditions can't be recreated outdoors, testing takes place inside specialized vacuum chambers that simulate the low-pressure environment found at high altitudes and beyond Earth's atmosphere.

To create those conditions, air is removed from the chamber using powerful vacuum systems. At NASA's In-Space Propulsion Facility in Sandusky, Ohio, steam ejectors play a key role in that process. High-pressure steam powers the ejectors, drawing air out of the chamber and creating the space-like environment needed to test rocket engines before they ever leave the ground.

That steam has to come from somewhere. And that's where WARE comes in.

The Solution

WARE supplied a high-capacity rental boiler system to support propulsion testing at NASA's In-Space Propulsion Facility in Sandusky, Ohio. The boiler generated the steam required to operate the facility's steam ejector system, which removes air from their massive test chambers to simulate space-like conditions suitable for rocket engine testing.

In addition to providing the boiler system, WARE supported the project through equipment delivery, startup, commissioning, and operational assistance during testing.

How the Process Works

1. A WARE rental boiler generates high-volume steam.
2. Steam is routed through a series of steam ejectors.
3. The ejectors rapidly discharge steam, creating a pressure differential.
4. Air is drawn from the test chamber, producing a near-vacuum environment.
5. Rocket engines can then be fired and evaluated under simulated space-like conditions.

Why Steam?

Steam ejectors provide an effective way to evacuate large volumes of air from the chamber without relying solely on mechanical vacuum pumps.

By generating consistent, high-capacity steam, the rental boiler becomes a critical part of creating the conditions necessary for propulsion testing.

Project Highlights

Application

Support of rocket propulsion testing through vacuum generation.

Facility

NASA's In-Space Propulsion Facility, Sandusky, Ohio.

Services Provided

• Boiler delivery
• Startup and commissioning
• Operational support during testing
• Reliable steam production throughout testing cycles

The Results

By providing reliable steam generation throughout testing, WARE helped support the systems that create the low-pressure environment required for rocket engine evaluation.

While the rocket engines and test programs vary, the requirement remains the same: consistent steam generation to power the ejector system and produce repeatable testing conditions.

Beyond Traditional Boiler Rentals

Most rental boiler projects support planned outages, emergency steam, or temporary process needs.

This application demonstrates another capability of rental steam systems: supporting highly specialized testing environments where precision, reliability, and consistent performance are essential.

Whether supporting industrial facilities, critical infrastructure, or advanced research applications, WARE provides temporary steam solutions for projects where dependable performance matters.