Aerojet To Expand Engine Study To Include RLVs

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Sacramento - Nov. 27, 2000
The Air Force Research Laboratory and NASA Marshall Spaceflight Center have awarded Aerojet $7.9 million in added in-scope work on the Integrated Powerhead Program, which is demonstrating propulsion technologies that will be applied to the main engine for a military space launch vehicle or a shuttle replacement.

Aerojet has been working on the program since 1994 under a $15 million contract to demonstrate advanced technology combustion devices on experimental liquid hydrogen-oxygen engines.

The contract modification, awarded Sept. 20, 2000, extends the contract to December 2003 and increases the total value to $23 million. Aerojet will now be updating designs for combustion device hardware to demonstrate critical technologies for the next generation main engine, including:

Delivering long life formed platelet liner combustion chambers.
Designing and delivering hydrogen cooled, milled channel nozzles.
Designing and delivering oxidizer and fuel rich preburners.
Supporting the test and evaluation of the technology demonstrator engine.

"This significant change plays an important role in furthering our recognition as the nation's combustion device experts. It also supports our strategic plan for a significant product development effort on the 2nd Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle program in a joint venture with Pratt & Whitney on the Cobra Engine," said Tom Fanciullo, Aerojet program manager for the Integrated Powerhead Program.

Testing of Aerojet's products in the technology demonstrator engine will be conducted at the NASA Stennis Space Center in 2003.

TECH SPACE

Will Plasma Revolutionize Aircraft Design

London - Oct. 28, 2000
They can reduce drag, repel shock waves and make jet fighters vanish. Will plasmas start an aerospace revolution, or are they just another mirage? To look at, the test vehicle suspended in the hypersonic wind tunnel is little more than a cone. But inside is a small device that could revolutionise the way aircraft fly, saving fuel and heralding a new age of travel.

SPACE.WIRE