Three Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME) today successfully powered the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on a mission to deliver the Russian Rassvet Mini-Research Module to the International Space Station. With the launch of mission STS-132, these three engines have achieved 36 space flights. The SSME is the only fully-reusable, high-performance rocket engine rated for human space flight. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
Atlantis launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on the 34th flight to the space station. The Rassvet module will be primarily used for cargo storage and as a docking port for visiting spacecraft. The mission also will include at least three spacewalks to install six spare batteries, a boom assembly for the Ku-band antenna and spare parts for the Canadian Dextre robotic arm extension on the space station.
“The Space Shuttle Main Engines performed as predicted,” said Jim Paulsen, SSME program manager, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. “We’re very proud to have helped boost Rassvet to the International Space Station; this mission embodies the very nature of the international partnership that has made the international space station successful.”
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. For more information about Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, go to www.prattwhitneyrocketdyne.com.
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 commercial building industries.
