Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE:GY) company, announced today that its 67-foot solid rocket booster augmented the launch of United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Atlas V vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The booster provided approximately 380,000 lbs. of additional thrust for the Atlas V launch vehicle and its National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) L-34 satellite payload. This marks the fifth NRO satellite launch by ULA within the last six months.
Other Aerojet hardware on the launch included 12 Aerojet monopropellant thrusters on the Atlas V Centaur upper stage that provided roll, pitch and yaw control, and settling burns for the upper stage main engine. Aerojet also supplied eight retro rockets for Atlas Centaur separation from the launch vehicle.
“Aerojet is very proud to support these launches and the payloads that protect our freedom and support our warfighters,” said Aerojet’s Vice President of Space and Launch Systems, Julie Van Kleeck.
Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile and space propulsion, defense and armaments markets. GenCorp is a leading technology-based manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems with a real estate segment that includes activities related to the entitlement, sale, and leasing of the company’s excess real estate assets. Additional information about Aerojet and GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the companies’ websites at http://www.Aerojet.com and http://www.GenCorp.com.