 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
LockMart And Aerojet Complete Atlas V Block B Solid Rocket Booster Test
Sacramento CA (SPX) Jun 02, 2005 Lockheed Martin and Aerojet have successfully conducted the second test firing of the Atlas V upgraded Block B Solid Rocket Booster (SRB). The test firing was performed May 24 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Aerojet's Block B SRB will be used on Lockheed Martin's Atlas V launch vehicle, providing enhanced performance and reliability. The Block A SRB, a previous version of the solid motor also produced by Aerojet, was qualified in 2003 and has already flown on three separate successful Atlas V missions for Lockheed Martin. This was the second test of the Block B SRB at Aerojet's new SRB test stand at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Edwards Air Force Base. The first test was conducted April 1. The duration and thrust levels of the SRB test fire matched well with pre-test expectations and were completed as planned, with a burn duration of approximately 90 seconds, producing an average thrust of over 250,000 lbs. Post-test examination of the motor, insulation and nozzle revealed excellent internal performance and design margins. "The Block B design has clearly demonstrated superior thermal performance and we are very pleased with the test results," said Jim Sponnick, vice president of the Atlas Program at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "Our customers are also pleased with the upgraded design, and we are looking forward to the performance and reliability that the Block B SRBs will provide for our upcoming Atlas V missions." Aerojet's robust Block B SRB design improves the motor's production efficiency and predictability required to meet the needs of Atlas V government and commercial missions. The Block B program was initiated by Lockheed Martin in 2003 as part of a pre-planned product improvement effort, following the successful completion of the Block A qualification. Since 2003, a total of seven Aerojet Block A SRBs have flown successfully on all three Atlas V missions that have utilized the added thrust of solid rocket boosters. "We are very pleased with the results of the development effort and look forward to flying this upgraded design. We are also very pleased with the collaborative working relationships we have with Lockheed Martin, AFRL and the government customer. These were key in the successful demonstration of the modified booster and the new test stand," said Aerojet President Michael Martin. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Lockheed Martin Aerojet GenCorp SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com
Successful First Test For Vega's Zefiro 9 Engine
Paris, France(ESA) Dec 28, 2005Flames, smoke and a deafening noise accompanied the first firing test of Vega's Zefiro 9 third-stage solid rocket motor. A first examination of the data indicates that everything went well at the test carried out yesterday at Salto de Quirra in southeast Sardinia. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
