Aerojet Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AJRD), helped propel the Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo spacecraft today on its fourth operational cargo delivery flight, transporting supplies and materials to the International Space Station (ISS). The flight, known as OA-4, was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket. Aerojet Rocketdyne propulsion included an RL10C-1 upper-stage engine, six helium pressurization tanks and a dozen Centaur upper-stage thrusters used for roll, pitch, yaw and settling burns.
“The successful placement of the Cygnus spacecraft into orbit is testament to the men and women who pour their talent and expertise into ensuring mission success,” said Steve Bouley, vice president of Space Launch Systems at Aerojet Rocketdyne. “The food, supplies and equipment they deliver to the International Space Station will allow astronauts to continue their important work for the benefit of us all here on Earth.”
“Congratulations to Orbital ATK, United Launch Alliance and everyone else involved in this successful mission,” said Ron Felix, vice president and general manager of Space Systems at Aerojet Rocketdyne. “It’s truly a team effort and an honor to know our propulsion is helping in the resupply of the International Space Station.”
After separation of the first stage several hundred miles above the Earth, a single Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C-1 engine ignited to place the Cygnus spacecraft on its path toward a rendezvous with the ISS, helped by Centaur thrusters and pressurization tanks. The RL10C-1 engine delivers 22,890 pounds of thrust to power the Centaur, using cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants during its operation. The RL10C-1 is provided by Aerojet Rocketdyne’s facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. The dozen MR-106-series 5-9 lbf Centaur upper stage hydrazine thrusters are provided by Aerojet Rocketdyne’s facility in Redmond, Washington. ARD, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne in New Jersey, provides the pressure vessels on the first and second stages on the launch vehicle.
Following in-orbit activation shortly after launch, 32 Aerojet Rocketdyne MR-106M 7 lbf monopropellant hydrazine thrusters on Cygnus will fire to perform required in-orbit maneuvers that allow the spacecraft to ultimately berth with the ISS.
Aerojet Rocketdyne is an innovative company delivering solutions that create value for its customers in the aerospace and defense markets. The company is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, tactical systems and armaments areas, in support of domestic and international markets. Additional information about Aerojet Rocketdyne can be obtained by visiting our websites at www.Rocket.com and www.AerojetRocketdyne.com.
