First Engine Assembled for DARPA and Boeing Reusable Experimental Spaceplane

Aerojet Rocketdyne has completed assembly of its first AR-22 rocket engine built for Boeing as part of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Experimental Spaceplane program. This new Boeing spaceplane, called Phantom Express, is intended to demonstrate a new paradigm for more routine, responsive and affordable space access.

Aerojet Rocketdyne's AR-22 engine, derived from the Space Shuttle Main Engine that was designed from the outset for reusability, is the main propulsion for Phantom Express.

"Phantom Express builds on our legacy of reusable space flight experience to provide the ability to quickly augment and replace on-orbit capabilities, which face an increasing array of threats from potential adversaries," said Eileen Drake, Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and president.

"Our immediate task is to demonstrate this rapid turnaround capability for this engine on the ground, paving the way for a demonstration program."

The AR-22 engine is capable of generating about 375,000 pounds (170,097 kg) of thrust and was designed to fly 55 missions with service every 10 missions. This reusability feature makes the AR-22 ideally suited for Phantom Express.

The reusable Phantom Express spaceplane will take off vertically and land horizontally. The vehicle will be equipped with an expendable second stage capable of placing up to 3,000 pounds (1,361 kg) of payload into low Earth orbit.

"The aircraft-like operations of Phantom Express are an important factor in the rapid turnaround of this spaceplane," said AR-22 Program Manager Jeff Haynes. "Additionally, the engine has a hinged nacelle that makes it easier to access and inspect the engines for rapid turnaround."

Aerojet Rocketdyne assembled the AR-22 at its facility at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. The engine will undergo a series of daily hot-fire tests at Stennis starting this summer to demonstrate its ability to support the high flight rates envisioned for Phantom Express.

These tests will also provide valuable insight that will be used to refine Phantom Express flight and turnaround procedures, while also informing the design requirements for the new ground infrastructure that Boeing is developing for the flight program.

Related Links
Aerojet Rocketdyne
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com

Tweet

Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.

SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly

paypal only

SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once

credit card or paypal

Russia to Create Rocket Production Holding on Basis of Roscosmos
Moscow (Sputnik) May 25, 2018
Russia may create a new rocket production holding on the basis of the Roscosmos state corporation, space industry sources have told Sputnik. "There are plans to create a holding on the basis of Roscosmos state corporation, which will include a number of other directions related to rocket production, such as Concern VKO Almaz-Antei and Tactical Missiles Corporation," the source said. Another source told Sputnik that that there were no plans to transfer shares of the Almaz-Antei and Tactical M ... read more