Matthew Nelson
Aerojet Rocketdyne delivered propulsion systems to support the U.S. Air Force’s deployment of a Lockheed Martin-built communications satellite.
Five AJ-60A solid rocket motors helped the United Launch Alliance-built Atlas V rocket take off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, while an RL10C-1 rocket engine propelled the Centaur upper stage with 22.9K pounds of thrust, Aerojet Rocketdyne said Thursday.
The company provided XR-5 hall thrusters to help the spacecraft travel towards operational orbit. In addition, the MR-106 reaction control system thrusters will equip the rocket with yaw, roll control and upper stage pitch capacities.
On Thursday, the Air Force launched the Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite to facilitate tactical and strategic communications worldwide.
“Our propulsion systems support this mission from the launch pad to orbit to final end-of-life decommissioning of the satellite,†said Eileen Drake, president and CEO at Aerojet Rocketdyne.
