"Jim" wrote in message
et...
SSME's are "rated" at a certain thrust. However, the thrust rating has a
minimum, average and maximum. The "rated" thrust is the average. Therfore,
the engines can be run to an amount greater than "rated" thrust. I am not
an engineer or NASA personel, but I have read that during the nominal
acent the engines are throttled from 64% to 104% but can be throttled to
109% of rated thrust if necessary.

You are correct. For 2 engine out aborts, the last engine can be throttled
to 109%.

Danny Deger