Thu, May 17, 2007
First Stage Motors Will Keep Rocket Stable After Launch
The
pieces of the complex development puzzle for NASA's next-generation
space travel system are coming together. This week, NASA selected
Aerojet-General Corp. of Redmond, WA to provide developmental
engines for the Ares I crew launch vehicle first stage roll control
system.
These engines are the first in a series of steps to develop the
roll control system to manage the amount of rotation by the first
stage solid rocket from liftoff to its separation from the second
stage, ensuring that Ares I stays on the designated trajectory for
the first two minutes of flight. The engines being developed by
Aerojet under this contract will be used to mature the roll control
system that will be used on the Ares I tests program.
The Ares I crew launch vehicle will transport the Orion crew
exploration vehicle, its crew or other small cargo payloads to
low-Earth orbit. The first stage will consist of a single solid
rocket booster similar to those used on the space shuttle, but with
a fifth motor segment added.
An upper stage consisting of a J-2X liquid hydrogen, liquid
oxygen engine and the associated propellant tanks and fuel
distribution systems will complete the trip to orbit.
The cost-plus-fixed-fee competitively-awared contract has an
11-month period of performance with a potential total value of $8.1
million, if the additional 11- month contract option for engine
fabrication and testing is exercised.
The Ares I project is managed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight
Center in Huntsville, AL for NAA's Constellation Program.
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