Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE:GY) company, announced today that its engines will be critical to the success of the STS-128 mission following this evening’s launch to the International Space Station. Aerojet engines are used for on-orbit operations, space station reboost and during landing.
On this 13-day mission, the STS-128 crew will deliver needed supplies to the Station and conduct three space walks. Mission Specialist Nicole Stott will also replace STS-127 Mission Specialist Tim Kopra. This is the Shuttle’s 30th trip to the Station and the 128th Space Shuttle flight.
Aerojet’s Orbital Maneuvering Engines, 38 primary and six Vernier thrusters on each Orbiter, as well as gas generators supporting the Auxiliary Power Units, have flown on every Shuttle mission since its launch inception in 1981. These technologies are critical to the Shuttle’s maneuvering abilities, the external tank separation and control of the entry vehicle and de-orbit efforts. “After nearly three decades in partnership with NASA on the Space Shuttle program, Aerojet is once again proud to provide the technology necessary for mission success,” said Aerojet’s Executive Director of Strategic Communications, Glenn Mahone. Aerojet engines and thrusters are also planned for use on Orion and Ares – the new human space flight programs under development at NASA.
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’ Web sites at http://www.aerojet.com/ and http://www.gencorp.com/.
