Aerojet Propulsion System And Thrusters On Board Mercury Spacecraft Launched Today

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 3, 2004 -- NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft, which will orbit Mercury aided by an Aerojet manufactured propulsion system, was launched today aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket. Aerojet, a GenCorp Inc. (NYSE: GY) company, provided the propulsion system and thrusters for the orbiter, which is expected to begin the first-ever orbit of the planet in 2011. Aerojet also provided the second stage liquid engines and 52 lbf nutation control thrusters for the Delta II rocket.

The MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space, ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 2:15 a.m. EDT. MESSENGER is part of NASA’s Discovery Program of lower-cost, scientifically focused missions. Aerojet designed and built the propulsion system for the orbiter at its Sacramento, Calif. location. The company also manufactured the 16 small monopropellant (hydrazine) thrusters, which will be used for main-tank propellant settling and small orbit correction maneuvers, at its Redmond, Wash. facility.

“Today’s successful launch was a tremendous start to an amazing scientific endeavor,” said Aerojet President Michael Martin. “Aerojet and its employees are commended for their dedication to the critical design and detailed manufacture and integration of the propulsion system and thrusters. Their hard work began to pay off today, and we eagerly anticipate each phase of the spacecraft’s journey to orbit.”

Aerojet was awarded the MESSENGER propulsion contract in March 2000 by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, which manages the mission. NASA provided funding for the program under its Discovery Program series in January 2000.

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 technology-based manufacturer with positions in the aerospace and defense, pharmaceutical fine chemicals, real estate and automotive industries. For more information, please visit http://www.aerojet.com and http://www.gencorp.com.

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