Jun 28 2006
Aerojet, a GenCorp Inc. company, has been awarded a five year contract for the development of technology for a rocket-powered landing system for NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) Crew Module. This contract is being funded by the NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va., and includes options for fabrication, system development, and demonstration tests at Langley's impact test facility. The contract is capped at $4.25 million dollars.
During the first phase of the contract Aerojet will provide consulting services and controllable thrust expertise to help NASA demonstrate the benefits of using its controllable solid propulsion systems to enhance the safety of ground landings of the CEV. The rocket-powered landing system would provide a soft and controlled landing for astronauts returning to earth by reducing both the downward velocity and sideways motion in order to prevent tipping or roll-over during touchdown. Controllable rocket power technology proposed for CEV was originally developed for missile defense applications.
"Aerojet has an established record in the development and production of controllable solid propulsion systems for missile defense applications and looks forward to applying this expertise to a CEV landing system," said Julie Van Kleeck, Aerojet vice president of Space Programs. "The availability of this technology will enable NASA to verify astronaut safety in time to meet the CEV program schedule."
Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile, space propulsion and armaments markets. GenCorp is a leading technology-based manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems with a real estate business 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.
http://www.GenCorp.com and http://www.Aerojet.com