Ozmens' SNC test-fires new rocket engine in preparation for US launches

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), the global aerospace and national security contractor owned by SNC CEO Fatih Ozmen, and Chairwoman and President Eren Ozmen, for the first time opened to public view a test-firing of its patented VORTEX rocket engine, showcasing next-generation technology available to NASA, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and commercial launch companies.

Among the public officials witnessing the rocket engine test was U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), who supported transition of 1,500 acres of the Badger Army Ammunition Plant to the Ho-Chunk Nation. SNC and the Ho-Chunk Nation are working collaboratively to use Ho-Chunk Nation land for qualified testing in exchange for environmental clean-up, educational opportunities, jobs and other benefits to Wisconsin's economy.

SNC's VORTEX engine, which uses green and clean propellants, will be used for the SNC Dream Chaser spacecraft when it services the International Space Station for NASA missions starting in spring 2021.

"We're excited that SNC's unique technology makes rocket engines both more powerful and more affordable," said Fatih Ozmen, CEO and owner of SNC. "And we are proud that through creative partnerships our operations in Wisconsin are bringing about jobs, space technology without impact to the land."

"This is an important day for our Made in Wisconsin economy and for U.S. space launch technology, and I'm proud to champion investments that will spur innovation, boost manufacturing and promote 250 good paying, clean energy jobs right here in Wisconsin," said Senator Baldwin. "SNC and Orbitec are prime examples of the incredible things we can achieve when Washington is a strong partner and supports new, clean technologies that are moving our state, and our nation, forward."

SNC's VORTEX engine technology enables manufacture of simpler, low-cost, lightweight and more robust rocket engines, including upper stage engines that ignite at high altitude and boost vehicles operating in the upper regions of the atmosphere. SNC's VORTEX upper stage engine is expected to yield tens of millions of dollars in savings for each launch. SNC is co-investing with the USAF for development of the engine for USAF needs.

In its arrangement with Ho-Chunk Nation, SNC upgraded facilities at the site of the historic World War II-era Badger Army Ammunition Plant. SNC replaced old hazardous building materials and augmented capabilities to manufacture small, in-space propulsion systems and the upper stage engine capabilities, part of a $20 million investment in work performed by 100 Wisconsin contactor led by ACS, Inc., an equipment, controls and facility solutions provider headquartered in Middleton, Wisconsin. Between ACS and all of the Wisconsin consultants, contractors and suppliers working under them, there were hundreds of people involved in the construction project.

"This technology is having a direct positive impact on the space launch capabilities and on the local Wisconsin economy, and we are so thrilled to provide cutting-edge engines that have great performance at a lower cost," said Tom Crabb, vice president of SNC's Propulsion and Environmental Systems business unit. "We are grateful to the Ho-Chunk Nation for their support, and allowing continued use of the historic land they now own again. Their commitment to help the Wisconsin economy has been vital for SNC to move testing forward."

SNC acquired Wisconsin-based ORBITEC in 2014 and maintains its operations outside Madison.

Related Links
Sierra Nevada Corporation
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

NASA Makes Progress Assembling Massive Space Launch System Rocket Stage
Michoud LA (SPX) May 30, 2019
NASA and Boeing technicians have begun the second of three major activities to join the large structural parts of the core stage for NASA's deep space rocket, the Space Launch System. When this task is completed, four of the five major core stage structures - most of the massive 212-foot stage-- will be assembled. Boeing and NASA will add the engine section and the four RS-25 engines to complete assembly of the core stage. This stage and its four RS-25 engines will produce 2 million pounds of thru ... read more