LOS ANGELES, May 01, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In support of NASA’s Artemis Program to return America to the Moon, Aerojet Rocketdyne was awarded a $1.79 billion contract modification for the creation of an extra 18 RS-25 motors to support future deep space exploration missions.
The flight demonstrated, high performance RS-25 motors are utilized to propel NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, a critical element of the Artemis program. As NASA looks to land man and the first girl on the Moon with the Artemis program, SLS is your super rocket that will carry the crew and cargo.
“The nation is returning to the Moon and moving ahead with plans to explore other deep space destinations, such as Mars,” said Eileen Drake, Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and president. “This contract ensures that our flight demonstrated RS-25 engines will be there each step along the way as NASA safely and successfully achieves these goals.”
There are currently 16 RS-25 engines staying from NASA’s Space Shuttle Program that tested were updated, and are prepared to support the four SLS assignments. When compared to versions that flew on the Space Shuttle aerojet Rocketdyne is already building six new expendable RS-25 motors that target more. Delivery of these engines will start in 2023.
The 18 engines continue to the incorporation of modern production techniques as well as leverage supply chain optimization, like additive production, that were introduced in the initial SLS engine production.
The first four RS-25 motors for the Artemis I SLS flight have been incorporated with the stage, which will be currently undergoing green run testing at NASA’s Stennis Space Center. Later this year, all four engines will be terminated just as they will stand.
The next group of four motors for Artemis II is complete and saved at Stennis at the center of Aerojet Rocketdyne. When the Artemis II core stage that is being built in New Orleans at NASA’s Michoud Assembly centre is finished, the motors will be prepared for integration.
About Aerojet Rocketdyne: Aerojet Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AJRD), is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion systems and energetics into the distance, missile defense and tactical systems, and tactical systems areas, in support of national and global clients. To find out more, visit http://www.Rocket.com and http://www.AerojetRocketdyne.com.
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