Wed, Dec 18, 2013
Aerojet Rocketdyne Developed The 'Pusher' System For The Spacecraft
Development testing of a flight-like Launch Abort Engine (LAE) for an innovative "pusher" launch abort system on The Boeing Company's CST-100 spacecraft has been completed by Aerojet Rocketdyne. The launch abort engine is a critical component of future commercial crew transportation to low-Earth orbit. A pusher launch abort system "pushes" or propels a spacecraft toward safety if a launch abort is needed and, if unused for an abort, the propellant can be used for other portions of the mission.
"In the past several weeks, the Aerojet Rocketdyne team conducted a series of eight tests on two Launch Abort Engines meeting or exceeding all test parameters," said Aerojet Rocketdyne Program Manager, Terry Lorier. "The tests demonstrated engine performance for multiple mission duty cycles and proved operation and durability under extreme operating conditions. The success of this most recent test series clears the way for our team to proceed into qualification and production of the engine in the next phase of the program."
The tests series was conducted at a test facility near Mojave, CA, with each engine operating at its maximum thrust of 39,000 pounds. The LAE has the distinction of being derived from proven reliable heritage engine systems and utilizes a simple modular design, which is affordable, easy to fabricate and has demonstrated durability and performance.
"This final round of development testing for the abort engines was a big step in verifying they can perform like we anticipated," said Boeing Vice President of Commercial Programs, John Mulholland. "We're looking forward to certification testing."
Boeing is advancing the design of the CST-100 under a Commercial Crew Integrated Capability Space Act Agreement with NASA's Commercial Crew Program. When development is completed, the vehicle will be capable of transporting people to future low-Earth orbit destinations and potentially the International Space Station. Aerojet Rocketdyne is operating under a fixed price contract to Boeing having completed the final development demonstration of the LAE for Boeing's CST-100 spacecraft. This testing preceded Boeing's Service Module Propulsion System critical design review with NASA in November.
(Image provided by Aerojet Rocketdyne)
More News
Aero Linx: International Business Aviation Council Ltd IBAC promotes the growth of business aviation, benefiting all sectors of the industry and all regions of the world. As a non->[...]
"During the annual inspection of the B-24 “Diamond Lil” this off-season, we made the determination that 'Lil' needs some new feathers. Due to weathering, the cloth-cove>[...]
Also: Bushcat Woes, Hummingbird 300 SL 4-Seat Heli Kit, Carbon Cub UL The newest Junkers is a faithful recreation that mates a 7-cylinder Verner radial engine to the airframe offer>[...]
Also: Seaplane Pilots Association, Rotax 916’s First Year, Gene Conrad After a decade and a half of struggling with the FAA and other aero-politics, G100UL is in production a>[...]
Also: Martha King Scholarship, Montaer Grows, Textron Updates Pistons, FlySto The FAA is hiring thousands of air traffic controllers, but the window to apply will only be open for >[...]