Alliant Techsystems recently demonstrated a critical capability of its liquid oxygen (LOX)/Methane rocket engine by igniting it in a vacuum chamber. The successful ignition test was designed to demonstrate the viability of a LOX/Methane rocket engine for a lunar ascent mission. This test engine was designed for 3,500 lbf thrust to bracket the expected thrust range of a lunar ascent engine. The successful vacuum chamber test is the latest in a series of tests that establishes ATK as the industry leader in LOX/Methane rocket engine technology. The company previously test-fired a 7,500 lbf LOX/Methane engine at sea-level.
ATK expects to conduct additional tests of its LOX/Methane engine technology over a wide range of operating conditions to simulate the environment an operational engine must perform in during a lunar ascent. The data collected from this test series will be instrumental in determining performance parameters and the optimal scale of a flight-weight LOX/Methane engine. The company will conduct these tests at its test facility in Ronkonkoma, NY.
The ascent engine is a critical propulsion system on the Lunar Lander and its operation is required to return the astronauts from the lunar surface to rendezvous with the orbiting Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). A LOX/Methane propellant combination offers significant performance benefits over other propellant combinations. The engine is also significantly lighter weight and can provide increased safety margins for the Lunar Lander’s design, in terms of allowable weight of the ascent module.
“Initial tests have already shown performance levels that meet or exceed engine requirements,” according to Bill Rutley, ATK Senior Program Manager. “We took what we learned on the 7,500 lbf engine and incorporated design changes into the 3,500 lbf engine to improve its performance. Based on the latest test data, our vacuum specific impulse will surpass 350 seconds.” ATK is an advanced weapon and space systems company with annual revenues in excess of $4.1 billion that employs more than 17,000 people in 21 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com.
Certain information discussed in this press release constitutes forward- looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although ATK believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Among those factors are: the challenges of developing next-generation engine technology, changes in governmental spending, budgetary policies and product sourcing strategies; the company’s competitive environment; the terms and timing of awards and contracts; and economic conditions. ATK undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For further information on factors that could impact ATK, and statements contained herein, please refer to ATK’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
