Aerojet Propulsion Systems Aid Mars Rovers

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 26, 2004 -- Aerojet, a GenCorp Inc. company, provided the second stage engine and third stage thrusters to launch the rovers "Spirit" and "Opportunity" on their journey to the planet Mars. Aerojet also contributed to the design and manufacture of the propulsion systems for both Mars rovers, as well as the Stardust spacecraft for a rendezvous with the Wild2 comet.

Mars "Spirit," which landed Jan. 3, was launched June 10, 2003 aboard a Boeing Delta II launch vehicle powered by Aerojet's 10,000 lbf second stage liquid engine, the AJ10-118K. The engine - a pressure-fed, propellant engine - is manufactured in Sacramento and has flown for more than 20 years with 100 percent success as Stage 2 of Boeing's Delta II rocket. The AJ10-118K provides 9,800 pounds of thrust and multiple restart capability. The Delta II is currently used for U.S. Air Force, NASA, and commercial satellite launches. Mars "Opportunity" landed Jan. 25.

Aerojet's Redmond, Washington, Operations provided the 30 lbf hydrazine nutation control Rocket Engine Assembly (REA) on the third stage of the Delta II for "Spirit," a 52 lbf REA for the third stage "Opportunity" launch vehicle, and also provided eight 1.0 lbf Rocket Engine Assemblies for each Mars spacecraft. The nutation control thruster is used to control spiraling of the third stage of the Delta II. The REAs on "Spirit" and "Opportunity" provide adjustments to the spacecraft while on cruise, and could have been used for last minute adjustments if the trajectory had not been perfect. The REAs were designed, built, and tested in Redmond.

"Extending our one hundred percent mission success record in the launch arena, Aerojet was proud to be a part of the team that launched 'Spirit,'" said Aerojet President Michael Martin. "And now we are especially pleased at the progress 'Spirit' and 'Opportunity' have made since landing."

The Stardust spacecraft, which flew through jets of debris approaching the comet Wild2, on Jan. 2, was also launched using Aerojet products. Stardust launched Feb. 7, 1999 aboard a Delta II launch vehicle using Aerojet Sacramento Operations' 10,000 lbf second stage liquid engine. Aerojet Redmond Operations provided the 30 lbf hydrazine nutation control thruster on the third stage of the vehicle. On the Stardust spacecraft, Aerojet Redmond flies four Rocket Engine Modules (REMs), each consisting of the 0.2 lbf REAs and two 1.0 lbf REAs. The REMs are used for trajectory adjustment during cruise, and were used to keep the collector and shielding in alignment during the critical dust collection maneuvers. Stardust is capturing particles of dust blown off the comet, with plans to return the collection to Earth in two years when the spacecraft passes by.

"Aerojet is very proud to be a spacecraft engine supplier to critical NASA sponsored scientific missions such as Stardust," said Mike Martin. "We provide the majority of the country's spacecraft engines that propel and control these important scientific endeavors."

Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile and space propulsion, and defense and armaments markets. GenCorp Inc. is a multi-national, technology-based manufacturer with leading positions in the automotive, aerospace, defense and pharmaceutical fine chemicals industries. For more information, please visit http://www.aerojet.com and http://www.gencorp.com.

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