|
Aerojet Propels Spacecraft Bound to Observe the Sun
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 26, 2006 -- Aerojet, a GenCorp Inc. (NYSE: GY) company, provided the propulsion systems for NASA's Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) mission launched last night from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. aboard a Boeing Company Delta II rocket. STEREO consists of two nearly identical satellites launched aboard a single rocket to provide three-dimensional measurements of the Sun's near surface region for studying coronal mass ejections. Yesterday's launch occurred at 8:52 p.m. EDT.
In addition to the spacecraft propulsion systems, Aerojet provided the second stage engine for the Delta II rocket and a small thruster aboard the rocket's third stage. Aerojet has supported more than 250 Delta launches with the Company's reliable and versatile second stage rocket engines with 100 percent mission success. Aerojet has also provided spacecraft propulsion systems for many space missions, including NASA's Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE), Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR), Mercury MESSENGER, and Pluto New Horizons.
"Today's launch of the STEREO spacecraft marks a significant step toward providing a unique and revolutionary view of the Sun and its influences on the earth," said Aerojet Vice President of Space Programs Julie Van Kleeck. "With today's successful launch and the on-going operation of the spacecraft propulsion systems, Aerojet continues to play a significant role in furthering our nation's understanding of the solar system and the worlds that lie within."
Aerojet is under contract to provide the spacecraft propulsion systems for the STEREO mission to the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). The STEREO spacecraft were designed, built and will be operated by APL under the program direction of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Aerojet is also under contract with The Boeing Company to build the second stage engine and provide launch and field support services for the U.S. Air Force, NASA and commercial satellite launch customers.
Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile and 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.
|
