Aerojet Rocketdyne Completes Successful Space Launch System Rocket Engine Test Series

Rhea-AI Summary

Aerojet Rocketdyne's RS-25 engine test at NASA's Stennis Space Center concluded the Retrofit-2 series, validating cost-effective components for future engines. The engine exceeded its design power rating during a full-duration firing of 500 seconds. The Retrofit-2 series achieved a 30% cost reduction compared to previous RS-25 models from the Space Shuttle program. Upcoming tests will further confirm the advances in design and technology with the next Retrofit-3 series starting later this year.

Positive

• Successful completion of RS-25 engine test validates modernized components.
• Achieved 109% of design power rating during the test.
• Expected 30% reduction in RS-25 engine costs compared to Space Shuttle versions.

Negative

• None.

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss., Sept. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today’s RS-25 engine test at NASA’s Stennis Space Center completed the Retrofit-2 test series, which validated modernized, lower-cost components for new RS-25 engines to be used on the Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift rocket.

RS-25 development test engine No. 0528 completed a full duration firing of 500 seconds and reached 109% of its originally designed Space Shuttle Main Engine power rating during the seventh and final Retrofit-2 test series. The first test in this series took place Jan. 28; each test in the series has lasted between 500 and 650 seconds, which matches or exceeds the engine’s thrust profile during an actual launch.

“The components demonstrated in the Retrofit-2 test series leverage the latest advances in design, materials and manufacturing technology to significantly reduce the cost of the RS-25 engines we are building today,” said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen P. Drake. “Our new RS-25 engines will begin flying on the fifth flight of the SLS rocket and will incorporate the newly designed components we validated during this important series of tests.”

The SLS core stage is powered by four RS-25 engines generating a combined two million pounds of thrust. The vehicle’s first four missions will use updated versions of engines remaining from NASA’s Space Shuttle program. Aerojet Rocketdyne is currently under contract to deliver 24 newly manufactured versions of the engines.

The components validated in the Retrofit-2 series include a main combustion chamber assembled using a high-tech metal bonding technique called Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP); an additively manufactured Pogo Accumulator Assembly; a pair of high-pressure fuel and oxidizer turbopumps built from simplified designs using modern techniques; as well as 3D-printed valves and redesigned actuators.

The components from today’s test will contribute to an expected 30% reduction in the cost of the RS-25 engine compared to the versions manufactured during the Space Shuttle program. An additional development engine, No. 0525, will further validate design, materials and manufacturing technology advances in a Retrofit-3 test series starting later this year.

About Aerojet Rocketdyne: Aerojet Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AJRD), is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion systems and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, and tactical systems areas, in support of domestic and international customers. For more information, visit www.Rocket.com and www.AerojetRocketdyne.com. Follow Aerojet Rocketdyne and CEO Eileen Drake on Twitter at @AerojetRdyne and @DrakeEileen.

Media Contacts:
Mary Engola, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 571-289-1371
Mary.Engola@rocket.com
Todd McConnell, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 561-882-5395
Todd.McConnell@rocket.com

FAQ

What was the outcome of Aerojet Rocketdyne's RS-25 engine test on September 30, 2021?

The RS-25 engine test validated modernized, lower-cost components, exceeding its design power rating.

How much did the RS-25 engine exceed its power rating during testing?

The engine reached 109% of its originally designed power rating.

What cost reduction is expected from the new RS-25 engines compared to previous models?

A 30% reduction in costs is anticipated for the new RS-25 engines.

What is the significance of the Retrofit-2 test series for Aerojet Rocketdyne?

It validates advanced design and manufacturing techniques for future RS-25 engines.

When is the next series of RS-25 engine tests scheduled to begin?

The Retrofit-3 test series will start later this year.