NASA Drains 66-Million-Gallon Reservoir to Upgrade Critical Water System

A powerful but mostly unseen water system at work during rocket engine tests at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, underwent an upgrade in May.

Crews brought the High Pressure Industrial Water Facility’s 66-million-gallon reservoir to its lowest level since construction in the 1960s by pumping out about 40 million gallons of water over three days.

This brought the reservoir, measuring 800 feet in diameter and about 25 feet deep, down to the level needed to replace a 3,000 gallon per minute pump that supplies water for fire suppression to the test complexes.

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after

A wide view of the High Pressure Industrial Water Facility reservoir at Stennis Space Center on May 7, filled nearly to capacity as crews begin removing water for facility upgrades.

The High Pressure Industrial Water Facility’s 66-million-gallon reservoir is shown at NASA’s Stennis Space Center on May 7 as work gets underway to remove about 40 million gallons of water to complete upgrades.

NASA/Danny Nowlin

The reservoir at Stennis Space Center on May 11 shown at a dramatically lowered level, exposing large areas of the reservoir floor after 40 million gallons were pumped out.

The reservoir is shown at NASA’s Stennis Space Center on May 11 at its lowest level since construction in the 1960s. Crews lowered the reservoir by pumping out about 40 million gallons over three days to complete upgrades.

NASA/Danny Nowlin

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after

Before and After

Lowering the Reservoir

May 7, 2026 – May 11, 2026

BEFORE (SSC-20260507-s00393) The High Pressure Industrial Water Facility’s 66-million-gallon reservoir is shown at NASA’s Stennis Space Center on May 7 as work gets underway to remove about 40 million gallons of water to complete upgrades. AFTER (SSC-20260511-s00420) The reservoir is shown at NASA’s Stennis Space Center on May 11 at its lowest level since construction in the 1960s. Crews lowered the reservoir by pumping out about 40 million gallons over three days to complete upgrades.

For a typical RS-25 engine test supporting NASA’s Artemis missions, about five million gallons of water flow from the reservoir to the Fred Haise Test Stand. The water cools the engine exhaust that reaches up to 6,000 degrees Fahrenheit, supplies water to the flame deflector and helps with sound suppression during a test.

A hot fire test produces critical data to ensure an engine is safe and reliable.

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after

View from the Thad Cochran Test Stand showing the reservoir on May 7, still mostly full as work begins to remove water for upgrades.

A view from the Thad Cochran Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center on May 7 shows the High Pressure Industrial Water Facility’s 66-milion-gallon reservoir as work gets underway to remove about 40 million gallons of water to complete upgrades.

NASA/Danny Nowlin

View from the Thad Cochran Test Stand on May 11 showing the reservoir at its lowest level since the 1960s after extensive water removal.

A view from the Thad Cochran Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center on May 11 shows the reservoir at its lowest level since construction in the 1960s. Crews lowered the reservoir by pumping out 40 million gallons over three days to complete upgrades.

NASA/Danny Nowlin

before

after

Before and After

A View from the Thad Cochran Test Stand

May 7, 2026 – May 11, 2026

BEFORE (SSC-20260507-s00395) – A view from the Thad Cochran Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center on May 7 shows the High Pressure Industrial Water Facility’s 66-milion-gallon reservoir as work gets underway to remove about 40 million gallons of water to complete upgrades. AFTER (SSC-20260511-s00423) – A view from the Thad Cochran Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center on May 11 shows the reservoir at its lowest level since construction in the 1960s. Crews lowered the reservoir by pumping out 40 million gallons over three days to complete upgrades.

The water used during a test is recycled for future use as it flows back into the on-site canal system, before returning to the reservoir.

“The old pump that supported fire suppression for testing reached its end of life, so this project promotes reliability with the upgrade,” said Justin Lucas, NASA project manager.

In addition to a new pump, the piping has improved to a 14-inch-to-12-inch configuration.

Picture trying to drink water from a big cup using a tiny coffee stirrer. This is similar to how the previous pump relied on piping that narrowed from 14 inches down to 10 inches before reaching the pump. The water moved but required more work from the system.

“With the upgraded configuration, less velocity inside the pipe with the same amount of flow equals a longer lasting pipe, pump, and hardware,” said Lucas.

A work crew places suction piping supported by floating buoys across the reservoir surface on May 6 to prepare for pumping out water without disturbing the reservoir floor. — A work crew lays suction piping on May 6 for the portable pumps that will help remove about 40 million gallons of water from the High Pressure Industrial Water Facility’s 66-million-gallon reservoir to complete upgrades at NASA’s Stennis Space Center. Floating buoys keep the suction piping suspended above the reservoir floor, preventing it from drawing in mud. This also protects the integrity of the reservoir bed by ensuring no underlying material is removed.

NASA/Danny Nowlin

A drone view showing water flowing toward the Thad Cochran Test Stand as reservoir levels drop during the water‑removal process. — A drone image shows water flowing to the Thad Cochran Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center on May 7. Crews lowered the High Pressure Industrial Water Facility’s 66 million gallon reservoir to its lowest level since the 1960s by pumping out about 40 million gallons over three days to complete upgrades.

NASA/Jason Peterson

A drone image of the reservoir on May 7, showing a noticeably lowered water level as part of the 40‑million‑gallon pump‑out for upgrades. — A drone image shows the High Pressure Industrial Water Facility’s 66-million-gallon reservoir at NASA’s Stennis Space Center on May 7. Crews lowered the reservoir to its lowest level since the 1960s by pumping out about 40 million gallons over three days to complete upgrades.

NASA/Jason Peterson

A work crew on a lift removes the main isolation valve at the High Pressure Industrial Water Facility on May 11 as part of pump replacement and upgrade work. — A work crew uses a lift to remove the main isolation valve to complete upgrades at NASA’s Stennis Space Center’s High Pressure Industrial Water Facility on May 11. The isolation valve isolates the water supply during work to replace the 3,000 gallon per minute pump that supplies water for fire suppression to the test complexes.

NASA/Danny Nowlin

The reservoir on May 11 with roughly 40 million gallons removed, revealing a significantly lowered waterline as upgrades continue. — The High Pressure Industrial Water Facility’s 66-million-gallon reservoir is shown with about 40 million gallons of water removed at NASA’s Stennis Space Center on May 11. Crews lowered the reservoir to its lowest level since construction in the 1960s to complete upgrades.

NASA/Danny Nowlin

Another view of the reservoir on May 11 showing the drastically reduced water level after major pumping operations for facility upgrades. — The High Pressure Industrial Water Facility’s 66-million-gallon reservoir is shown with about 40 million gallons of water removed at NASA’s Stennis Space Center on May 11. Crews lowered the reservoir to its lowest level since construction in the 1960s to complete upgrades.

NASA/Danny Nowlin

The water system upgrades have strengthened a vital system that supports NASA’s Artemis missions, along with commercial companies operating at NASA Stennis, home to America’s largest multiuser propulsion test site.