The Component Test Facility, also known as Test Stand 116 is an open structural steel construction incorporating a cantilevered section for mounting test items. There is no support structure within 22 feet from the centerline of the cantilevered tower framework. The structure is designed for 70K vertical thrust at cantilevered centerline. There is a five-ton bridge crane on the top (50-ft) level. A 20-ft by 20-ft by 3-ft deep heavy reinforced concrete pad with embedded anchorage system is symmetrically aligned below the cantilevered centerline. It is designed for 70K horizontal thrust 10 ft above the pit floor.

This facility provides a unique capability providing acoustically clean environment and instrumentation for studies of dynamic pressures generated by noise sources. 90 degree, 75 meter expanded black-top area around the test stand provides this acoustically clean environment. It can readily be adapted for checkout tests of rocket engines, cryogenic valves, etc. Isolated location and direction of firing would accommodate exotic propellant tests.

148 acoustic measuring stations are strategically spaced on 10-degree intervals covering 180 degrees on a 250-ft radius hardstand area with its center being the cantilevered center. Acoustic instrumentation is ducted to the Control Building.

Over the years, the test stand has evolved into a diversified component test stand for many different test programs which require high pressure and/or cryogenic propellants. The facility consists of an open steel test stand structure, a mechanical prep shop, an electrical control center, and two locations for signal conditioning equipment.

Instrumentation goes underground to the Instrumentation Center. The electrical control instrumentation is ducted underground to Control Building, which is explosion proof with observation windows and a 2000 ft2 working space.

The building contains power supplies, intercom, video, and areas warning equipment, cable terminals, control consoles, and signal condition equipment.

The Component Test Facility, also called Test Facility 116, is equipped to test high-pressure rocket engine system components, turbopumps, valves, cryogenic propellant system components, and combustion devices. The facility is designed to supply large-volume and high-pressure liquid and gas for testing. The multi-position test stand can run multiple tests simultaneously, saving time and propellant. It also can be used for environmental simulation tests. The Component Test Facility is located in NASA Marshall's East Test Area.

There are four positions within the Component Test Facility. The Turbine Blade Position can provide LOX, H2, RP-1, and CH4 to test articles. The Acoustic Model Position can withstand 30,000 lbf and can provide LOX, H2, and RP-1 to test articles. The Preburner Position can withstand 50,000 lbf and can provide LOX, H2, and CH4 test articles. The forth position is the 60,000 lbf Position, which has been upgraded from 40,000 lbf, and can provide LOX, H2, RP-1, and CH4 to test articles.

Liquid Oxygen
There is a 3,000 gallon tank that stores Liquid Oxygen at 5,000 psig. Storage at 28,000 gallons and 14,000 gallons is also available.

Liquid Hydrogen
There is a 2,200 gallons tank for storing Liquid Hydrogen at 6,000 psig. There is also a 2,000 gallon tank with a pressure of 8,500 psig

RP-1/High Pressure Water
Two 3,000 gallon tanks are available for storing RP-1 and/or high pressure water at 5,000 psig and 2,700 psig, respectively.

Gaseous Hydrogen
Gaseous Hydrogen can be stored in a vessel that is 600 ft3 at 10,000 psig. It can also be stored in a 1,250 ft3 vessel at 15,000 psig. Gaseous Hydrogen is provided to the facility through a 1.5-inch facility line at 4,400 psig.

Gaseous Nitrogen
Gaseous Nitrogen can be stored in a vessel that is 700 ft3 at 8,000 psig. It can also be stored in a 1,250 ft3 vessel at 10,000 psig. Gaseous Nitrogen is provided to the facility through a 3-inch facility line at 4,200 psig.

Gaseous Helium
Gaseous Helium is provided to the facility through a 1.5-inch facility line at 4,200 psig.

Missile-grade Air
Missile-grade is provided to the facility through a 1.5-inch facility line at 3,500 psig

Industrial Water
Industrial water is available at a pressure of 150 psig.

Hydraulic System
The hydraulic system has a flow rate of 50 gpm at 3,000 psig.

Control/Instrumentation
The facility is equipped with a programmable logic controller with 600 outputs to remote valves. 1,000 low-speed digital data acquisition channels are available at 100 SPS. 78 (expandable to 180) high-speed digital channels are available at 250,000 SPS. It also has 288 analog tape channels. High speed and infrared cameras and control systems with video monitoring are available at the facility.