Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) and RD AMROSS, LLC powered the launch of an Atlas V rocket for the first time from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., today on a mission to deliver a U.S. National Reconnaissance Office satellite into orbit. PWR is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V Centaur upper stage is powered by PWR’s RL10 engine; the booster stage is powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine. RD AMROSS is a joint venture formed by PWR and NPO Energomash.
“Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is pleased to provide reliable propulsion and on-site support at Vandenberg Air Force Base to foster assured access to space for our United Launch Alliance and government customers,” said Graham Webb, general manager, PWR Florida and Mississippi operations.
“The RD AMROSS team takes great pride in boosting the Atlas V to another successful mission with this important inaugural launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base,” said Jerry Josef, president and CEO, RD AMROSS.
The RL10 has helped place numerous military, civil and commercial satellites into orbit and powered historic space probe missions to every planet in our solar system.
The RD-180 delivers nearly 1 million pounds of thrust, and continues to be flight proven on the Atlas III and V launch vehicles with 19 consecutive launches for 100 percent mission success. The RD-180 is the only liquid oxygen-kerosene fueled engine with an oxygen-rich staged combustion cycle flying in the United States today.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc., a part of Pratt & Whitney, is a preferred provider of high-value propulsion, power, energy and innovative system solutions used in a wide variety of government and commercial applications, including the main engines for the space shuttle, Atlas and Delta launch vehicles, missile defense systems and advanced hypersonic engines.
RD AMROSS, LLC is a U.S. joint venture between PWR and NPO Energomash of Khimky, Russia. NPO Energomash manufactures the RD-180 for RD AMROSS, and is a world leader in designing, manufacturing, testing and providing services for liquid propulsion rocket engines.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.
