DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Aerojet Propulsion Maneuvers Second ATV Vehicle To ISS

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Aerojet Propulsion Maneuvers Second ATV Vehicle To ISS

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Aerojet

(NSI News Source Info)

SACRAMENTO, Calif.,

- February 24, 2011:

Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE: GY) company, announced today that ESA Spacecraft PR6-2011 (Johannes Kepler) - the second of five European Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATV) - successfully launched aboard the European expendable launch system, Ariane 5, out of Kourou in French Guiana.

For the ATV mission, Aerojet delivered four model R-4D-11 110 lbf bipropellant rocket engines that are used to accomplish the circularization maneuvers and approach to docking with the International Space Station (ISS). When preliminary orbit was achieved, the ATV engines operated to place the spacecraft into an elliptical orbit after which a second firing was used to circularize the vehicle's orbit. Once in circular orbit, the ATV uses the model R-4D engines to provide the main propulsion and braking in its approach to the ISS. At the completion of the mission, the R-4D main engines will again be used for the de-orbit maneuver.

"Aerojet is pleased to support EADS Astrium and ESA in the ATV program," said Carl Stechman, chief bipropellant engineer and Apollo-era veteran. "The successful launch of the Johannes Kepler transfer vehicle is critical to maintaining the viability of the ISS after the space shuttle retires."

Aerojet's model R-4D 100 lbf force class bipropellant main engines are a derivative of the 32 engines flown on the Apollo lunar and service module. They are used for achieving orbit on many geosynchronous satellites and also will be used on the next-generation Orion Service Module. The four model R-4D engines were delivered to the prime contractor, EADS Astrium in Bremen, Germany, for use on the Johannes Kepler ATV.

Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile and space propulsion, defense and armaments markets. GenCorp is a leading technology-based manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems with a real estate segment that includes activities related to the entitlement, sale, and leasing of the company's excess real estate assets. Additional information about Aerojet and GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the companies' websites at http://www.Aerojet.comand http://www.GenCorp.com.

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Aerojet and Florida Turbine Technologies Join in Strategic Partnership to Develop NASA's New Rocket Engines

Defense News: SACRAMENTO, Calif. and JUPITER, Fla., April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE:GY - News) company, and Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT) announced today that the companies have entered into a strategic partnership to compete for research, development and production on NASA's new hydrocarbon engine and advanced upper stage engine. This expands the very successful teamwork that Aerojet and FTT have underway on the U.S. Air Force Hydrocarbon Boost Technology Demonstrator (HBTD) and Upper Stage Engine Technology (USET) programs.

The HBTD program is developing key, high-impact components and enabling technology for a world-class hydrocarbon engine. Aerojet and FTT will provide the innovation to expand this effort into a comprehensive engine development program that provides transformational propulsion capability for NASA, DoD and commercial launch vehicles. In 2007, Aerojet and FTT competed and won the HBTD program which is the only U.S. engine development program working on an advanced rocket engine cycle.

"NASA's plans for innovative propulsion R&D on a new hydrocarbon engine are critical to America's leadership in space launch," said Aerojet CEO Scott Seymour. "Winning the opportunity to work on these new NASA investments will allow Aerojet and FTT to expand and employ a whole new generation of engineers and scientists in developing the world's best hydrocarbon engine – and then to produce these engines in a new facility located in the United States. Aerojet is excited about joining in a strategic partnership with the innovative professionals at FTT to compete for and win this very important work."

"We look forward to growing our relationship with Aerojet, and the opportunity to build on our Air Force hydrocarbon engine technology with NASA," said FTT CEO Shirley Brostmeyer. "We are also proud of the opportunity to help build new high technology R&D engineering and manufacturing positions within the state ofFlorida."

Aerojet and FTT are the premier hydrocarbon engine team in the United States.

Aerojet continues to be a pioneer in developing world-class U.S. hydrocarbon engine capabilities. Aerojet is providing the AJ26 engine (derived from the NK-33, the world's first oxidizer-rich, staged-combustion, oxygen/kerosene rocket engine, which achieves very high performance in a lightweight, compact package) for Orbital Sciences Corporation's Taurus II launch vehicle. This summer Aerojet will begin acceptance testing of the AJ26 engine at NASA Stennis Space Center leading to a planned first flight of the Taurus II in June 2011. Aerojet also just successfully hot-fire tested a 5,500 lbf liquid oxygen – liquid methane engine at NASA White Sands Test Facility under a contract with NASA Glenn Research Center with support from NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

Florida Turbine Technologies is working closely with AFRL, NASA, and Aerojet to develop state-of-the-art technologies for next generation turbopumps which provide extremely high pressure fuel to the rocket's engine. These technologies include cavitation models, bearing and seal components, flowpath design, and health management sensors, which are being developed and tested as part of the USET, HBTB and other R&D programs.

Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile, space propulsion and armaments markets. GenCorp is a leading technology-based manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems with a real estate segment that includes activities related to the entitlement, sale and leasing of the company's excess real estate assets. Additional information about Aerojet and GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the companies' Web sites at http://www.Aerojet.com and http://www.GenCorp.com.

Florida Turbine Technologies specializes in the design, development, manufacture, and test of turbomachinery components and systems for aircraft engines, space propulsion, and industrial gas turbines. FTT is headquartered in Jupiter, Florida where it employs over 200 turbomachinery experts, and is dedicated to creating and preserving high technology jobs and turbomachinery excellence in Florida. Additional information about FTT can be obtained by visiting the company's Web site at www.fttinc.com.

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Aerojet Engine Test Demonstrates Engine Design for NASA's Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle

Defense News: SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE:GY - News) company, successfully completed 100 hot-fire test sequences of its R-1E 25-pound, thrust-bipropellant engine. The test included more than 27,389 starts with 6,298 seconds of total burn time under a broad variety of conditions expected for NASA's Orion service module.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100408/SF83701)

Aerojet Engine Test Demonstrates Engine DesignClick Here to Download Image

Aerojet is providing propulsion to Lockheed Martin for NASA's Orion crew exploration vehicle as well as all engines aboard the Orion service module. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor to NASA developing the Orion crew exploration vehicle – the nation's next generation spacecraft for future exploration throughout our solar system.

This early demonstration of the engine's performance at expected Orion operating conditions was conducted to retire risk to the Orion vehicle. "Through collaboration with Lockheed Martin and NASA, Aerojet engineers have conducted a valuable R-1E engine test program that will lead to a low-risk propulsion approach for NASA's Orion service module," said Julie Van Kleeck, Aerojet's vice president for Space Programs.

The R-1E currently provides in-space propulsion for the Space Shuttle and has a long history of successfully enabling Space Shuttle maneuvers. The R-1E also provides precise in-space propulsion for the Japanese H-II transfer vehicle (HTV), which rendezvoused and docked with the International Space Station last year. This engine complement includes sixteen 25-pound thrust engines, eight 100-pound thrust bipropellant engines and a 7,500-pound thrust Orion Main Engine. Additionally, Aerojet will supply twelve 160-pound thrust monopropellant engines for the Orion Crew Module.

Aerojet is part of the nationwide Orion industry team led by Lockheed Martin, which also includes five major subcontractors and an expansive network of minor subcontractors and small businesses working at 88 facilities in 28 states across the country.

Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile and space propulsion, defense and armaments markets. GenCorp is a leading technology-based manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems with a real estate segment that includes activities related to the entitlement, sale, and leasing of the company's excess real estate assets. Additional information about Aerojet and GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the companies' Web sites at http://www.Aerojet.com andhttp://www.GenCorp.com.

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GenCorp Announces Credit Ratings Upgrades

Defense News: SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GenCorp Inc. (NYSE:GY - News) announced today that on March 26, 2010 Moody's Investors Service upgraded both its Corporate Family Rating (CFR) to B2 from B3 and Probability of Default ratings to B2 from Caa1. In addition, the senior secured credit facilities were upgraded to Ba2 from Ba3, as well as the convertible subordinated notes to Caa1 from Caa2. The 9 1/2% senior subordinated notes were confirmed at B1. Also, Moody's attached an outlook of "stable" to its credit rating of the Company.

Moody's noted in its research update announcing the upgrade, "The B2 CFR and stable rating outlook reflect GenCorp's improved financial position and greater flexibility and the Company's recent track record of stronger cash flow generation."

Moody's announcement follows a similar action taken by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (S&P). On January, 22, 2010, S&P raised its ratings of GenCorp Inc. to B- from CCC+ and removed all ratings from CreditWatch. S&P attached an outlook of "stable" to its credit rating of the Company.

S&P noted in its research update announcing the upgrade, "The rating actions follow the Company's repayment of $125 million of debt that was tendered to it, with proceeds from the $200 million in convertible subordinated debentures it issued in late December 2009."

"These upgrades validate continued progress in our longer-term strategy to address our capital structure and focus on cash flow," said Kathy Redd, chief financial officer, GenCorp Inc.

About GenCorp

GenCorp is a leading technology-based manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems with a real estate segment that includes activities related to the entitlement, sale and leasing of the Company's excess real estate assets. Additional information about the Company can be obtained by visiting the Company's web site at http://www.GenCorp.com.

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Aerojet's Advanced Third Stage Technology Demonstration Motor Successfully Tested by Air Force

Defense News: SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE:GY - News) company, and the U.S. Air Forceconducted a successful static test of Aerojet's Advanced Third Stage (A3S) technology demonstration motor in support of the U.S. Family of Motors for military and commercial applications.

The A3S motor is being developed on the Propulsion Application Program (PAP) under contract to the 526th ICBM Systems Group at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The test was conducted at altitude conditions by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

Aerojet's A3S technology demonstration motor design incorporates numerous advanced technologies and materials selected in Phase I of the program and are being demonstrated via a Super BATES motor test in the initial portion of Phase II. The program's primary goal is to develop a new generation of ICBM-sized motors with increased propulsion performance and lower manufacturing and operational costs. In order to meet these goals, the A3S technology demonstration motor consists of an advanced carbon-carbon exit cone assembled using environmentally friendly materials and a high energy solid propellant that was mixed and cast at Aerojet's Sacramento, Calif. facility.

During the static firing, the A3S technology demonstration motor achieved a peak thrust of more than 33,000 lbf. Initial post-test inspection indicates that all components functioned as designed and performance predictions were on target. The Air Force and Aerojet are now preparing for development of a full-scale A3S motor for testing in a simulated altitude static test. This altitude test will fully validate motor performance and will be a precursor for potential flight testing.

"The successful A3S test represents the fourth strategic technology motor test conducted by Aerojet in the past 12 months," said Mark Kaufman, executive director of Strategic Programs at Aerojet. "We believe the technologies, materials, and modes of manufacture will not only serve future applications on Air Force Strategic Strike missile architecture, but applications for the general SRM industrial base as a whole."

Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile and space propulsion, defense and armaments markets. GenCorp is a leading technology-based manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems with a real estate segment that includes activities related to the entitlement, sale, and leasing of the company's excess real estate assets. Additional information about Aerojet and GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the companies' Web sites at http://www.Aerojet.com andhttp://www.GenCorp.com.

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Aerojet and Orbital Complete Main Engine Lifetime Testing for Taurus II Space Launch Vehicle

Russian Tests of Heritage NK-33 Rocket Engine Confirm Performance and Durability
Engine Completes Two Times Normal Firing Duration of a Taurus II Launch Profile

Defense News: SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE:GY - News) company, and Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE:ORB - News), along with Aerojet's Russianpartner, SNTK, announced today that a series of NK-33 rocket engine tests conducted in Samara, Russia were successfully completed in support of the development of Orbital's Taurus® II space launch vehicle.

The purpose of the extended-time testing of the NK-33 engine, on which the AJ26 first-stage engine for the Taurus II rocket is based, was to demonstrate a 'hot-fire' duration equal to two times a normal Taurus II acceptance testing and launch profile duty cycle. Over the last two weeks, three tests were conducted by SNTK with a cumulative duration of more than 600 seconds. These tests verified the significant technical margins on engine performance and durability required by Orbital's Taurus II development program.

GenCorp President and CEO and Aerojet President, Scott Seymour, said, "Completing the margin testing is a significant milestone in Aerojet's contract with Orbital. This success demonstrates the engine's robust design and its ability to operate at the power levels and duration times compatible with the Taurus II flight profile with additional performance margin."

"The success of the NK-33 engine tests in Russia is an important step forward in the development of the Taurus II rocket," said Ron Grabe, Orbital's Executive Vice President and General Manager of its Launch Systems Group. "With the performance of the heritage engine now confirmed and well understood, we can move forward with confidence to configuration verification and acceptance testing of AJ26 engines at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi beginning in April."

Aerojet is the provider of the AJ26/NK-33 rocket engine for the first stage of the Taurus II launcher. The basic NK-33 engine was originally designed and produced in Russia for the Russian N1 lunar launch vehicle. Aerojet subsequently purchased approximately 40 of the basic NK-33 engines in the mid-1990s and, under contract with Orbital, the company is currently modifying the engines specifically for the Taurus II launch vehicle.

Aerojet and Orbital are scheduled to begin ground testing of the AJ26 engine at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi in less than two months. The U.S.-based testing will validate the Taurus II specific engine configuration and continue to build on the extensive engine database that includes more than 17 years of development testing, encompassing approximately 1,500 engine-level tests totaling 194,000 seconds of firing duration. After the design verification tests are completed at Stennis, regular production acceptance testing will be initiated, paving the way to the first flights of the Taurus II rocket in 2011.

About the AJ26 Rocket Engine

The AJ26 is a commercial derivative of the NK-33 engine that was first developed for the Russian rocket that would have taken cosmonauts to the moon. As the world's first oxidizer-rich, staged-combustion, oxygen/kerosene rocket engine, it achieves very high performance in a lightweight, compact package. Aerojet has been developing design modifications to make the engine suitable for commercial launchers since the mid-1990s.

About the Taurus II Launch Vehicle

Orbital is developing the Taurus II medium-class space launch vehicle to boost payloads into a variety of low Earth and geosynchronous transfer orbits and to Earth escape trajectories. Taurus II incorporates proven technologies from the company's Pegasus®, Taurus and Minotaur rockets, and is supported by a "best-in-class" network of suppliers from the U.S. and around the world.

The Taurus II program currently has a backlog of nine launches, beginning with the demonstration flight in 2011 for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) project, a joint research and development effort with NASA to develop a system capable of safely and reliably supplying the International Space Station (ISS) with essential cargo. Orbital is also under contract with NASA for the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) program with an eight-mission, $1.9 billion agreement to deliver cargo to the ISS from 2011 through 2015.

In addition to its work with NASA on the COTS and CRS programs, Orbital is also offering the Taurus II rocket to U.S. civil government and military customers for dedicated launch services for medium-class scientific and national security satellites. From its Wallops Island, Virginia launch site, Taurus II will be capable of supporting mid-inclination and polar orbiting spacecraft weighing approximately 10,500 lbs. and 5,500 lbs., respectively.

About Aerojet

Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile and space propulsion, defense and armaments markets. GenCorp is a leading technology-based manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems with a real estate segment that includes activities related to the entitlement, sale, and leasing of the company's excess real estate assets. Additional information about Aerojet and GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the companies' Web sites at http://www.Aerojet.com andhttp://www.GenCorp.com.

About Orbital

Orbital develops and manufactures small- and medium-class rockets and space systems for commercial, military and civil government customers. The company's primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including low-Earth orbit, geosynchronous-Earth orbit and planetary exploration spacecraft for communications, remote sensing, scientific and defense missions; human-rated space systems for Earth-orbit, lunar and other missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense systems that are used as interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also provides satellite subsystems and space-related technical services to U.S. Government agencies and laboratories. More information about Orbital can be found at http://www.orbital.com

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Aerojet's Engine Powers Delta II Second Stage for DigitalGlobe's WorldView-2 Satellite Mission Launch

Aerojet ~ October 8, 2009
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE: GY - News) company, announced that its engine helped propel today's Delta II launch vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) in California, putting the Ball Aerospace-built WorldView-2 imaging satellite into orbit. The satellite will collect and record high resolution commercial Earth imagery from space.
Under contract to the United Launch Alliance, Aerojet provides the Delta II rocket's liquid second stage engine. The United Launch Alliance supplies the Delta II launch vehicle and other mission services to Boeing Launch Services, under contract with satellite imagery company, DigitalGlobe (NYSE: DGI - News).
This same engine has supported launches of critical NASA missions such as MESSENGER, Phoenix Mars Lander, GLAST, THEMIS, STEREO, Deep Impact and the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) spacecraft as well as the USAF Global Positioning System (GPS) Block IIR fleet. This particular engine's launch history began in 1958 when Aerojet provided second stage propulsion for the Vanguard-1 mission.
"It is a privilege to be part of such a great team that provides a high reliability vehicle to both government and commercial users," said Richard Yanick, director of Delta II and Space Tank Production Programs. "This is an important mission for DigitalGlobe and we are glad to have played an important role in their venture."
Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile and space propulsion, defense and armaments markets. GenCorp is a leading technology-based manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems with a real estate segment that includes activities related to the entitlement, sale, and leasing of the company's excess real estate assets. Additional information about Aerojet and GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the companies' Web sites at http://www.Aerojet.com and http://www.GenCorp.com.