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Aerojet Demonstrates Next Generation Ion Thruster Optics Assembly in Successful Test
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 1, 2005 -- Aerojet, a GenCorp Inc. (NYSE: GY) company, recently completed testing, conducted by NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), of a prototype ion thruster optics assembly. The prototype ion optics assembly was integrated on GRC’s 7 kW Engineering Model (EM) NASA Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT). The tests demonstrated that the Aerojet optics exceeded all NEXT performance requirements and provided critical improvements over earlier design models. The NEXT thruster has now entered into a Long Duration Life Test that will demonstrate more than 30,000 hours of life.
“As a leading provider of in-space propulsion to NASA, milestones such as this successful optics assembly testing further demonstrates our ability to mature the technology needed to support future NASA mission needs,” said Robert Peha, Aerojet vice president of Space Propulsion.
The design, manufacture and test of the optics assembly for NEXT is part of a two-phase contract Aerojet received from NASA GRC. Aerojet’s scope of effort in the ongoing second phase includes final design and fabrication of the NEXT thrusters and Xenon Propellant Management Systems.
The NEXT program is part of the Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) project, managed by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) In-Space Propulsion Technology Program under the NASA Science Mission Directorate. The NEXT program, led by NASA GRC, is developing the next generation of ion propulsion systems for future NASA solar system exploration. The NEXT team includes: NASA GRC, NASA MSFC, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Aerojet, and L3 Communications Electron Technologies, Inc.
Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile and space propulsion, and defense 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 development, sale and leasing of the Company’s 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.
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