|
Aerojet Propulsion Supports Historic GeoEye-1 Satellite Launch
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 8, 2008 – Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE: GY) company, announced today that key propulsive elements made by Aerojet were launched aboard both the launch vehicle and the satellite during the Sept. 6 Delta II GeoEye-1 satellite launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Aerojet, under contract to United Launch Alliance, provided the Delta II rocket’s second stage engine. This was Aerojet’s 265th successful Delta launch since 1960. This same engine has supported launches of critical missions such as the Phoenix Mars Lander, THEMIS, STEREO, Deep Impact, MESSENGER, Mars Exploration Rover (MER) spacecraft and the past and future launches of the Global Positioning System (GPS) Block IIR.
Aerojet’s Redmond, Wash. facility delivered the monopropellant hydrazine propulsion system for GeoEye-1 to General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (GD-AIS) in early July 2006. The propulsion system will provide attitude control for the satellite and will assist with its retirement. The integrated Aerojet design and development process resulted in a modular design, which lowers costs and improves functionality. Aerojet has provided more than 220 propulsion systems for a broad variety of applications including General Dynamics' Coriolis and NFIRE satellites.
“Aerojet is extremely proud of our contribution to this important spacecraft and we look forward to supporting it throughout its mission,” said Dr. Roger Myers, general manager for Redmond Operations.
GeoEye, the satellite owner, is a satellite and aerial imagery provider. GeoEye-1 represents the world’s highest resolution commercial imaging system to date. Its mission is to provide sub half-meter earth imaging for commercial applications which include national and homeland security, air and marine transportation, mapping and location-based services and natural resources and environmental monitoring.
Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile and space propulsion, defense and armaments markets. GenCorp is a leading technology-based manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems with a real estate 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.
|
