Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Wins $2.2 Million Contract Option for Solar Thermal Propulsion Rocket Engine

Written by thomas · Filed Under Aeronautics News 

June 25, 2008

thomas

CANOGA PARK, Calif., June 25 /PRNewswire/ — The United States Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Pratt & Whitney
Rocketdyne a $2.2 million contract for the fabrication and ground test of a
Solar Thermal Propulsion rocket engine. This contract extends the current
High Delta-V Experiment Program (HiDVE) another six months and follows a
successful critical design review last March. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is
a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

The Solar Thermal Propulsion engine encompasses an innovative new
technology that allows it to use less fuel by harnessing the sun’s energy.
This gives the satellite greater ability to maneuver in space and conduct
longer missions by extending the use of its fuel.

“We are proud to be part of this cutting edge technology that will
revolutionize nanosatellites and on-orbit propulsion,” said Patrick Frye,
program manager for the HiDVE program at Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. “This
will provide a dramatic increase in propulsive capability over current
chemical thruster systems.”

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.

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.

» Próximo Post - Northrop Grumman Stands Ready to Support Air Force Tanker Decision
« Post Aneterior - Boeing, Biman Bangladesh Announce 737-800 Order

Comments

¿Tiene algo que decir?

You must be logged in to post a comment.