Russian NK-33 Rocket Engine
Successfully
Duplicates Atlas Requirements at Aerojet
SACRAMENTO, CA (November
7, 1995) -- Today, Aerojet, a segment of GenCorp, successfully fired a Russian
NK-33 rocket engine at the Sacramento facility to test Atlas launch vehicle profile
and duration requirements.
"This test proved that the NK-33 can meet Atlas' requirements, and is one
more significant step towards Aerojet supplying the engine for the next generation
evolved launch vehicles," said Marc Constantine, director of strategic and
space propulsion.
With thrust levels varying from 77 to 104 percent, the NK-33 rocket engine fired
for almost three minutes.
Aerojet, in an agreement with Samara State Scientific and Production Enterprise-NK
Engines of Samara, Russia, will initially purchase an existing supply of approximately
70 NK-33 engines, and adapt them for use on U.S. launch vehicles. Primary modifications
will include installing a gimbal block, or thrust-vectoring capability; new wiring
harnesses and electrical circuitry; and electromechanical valve actuators. Twelve
engines will be imported later this year; the remainder will be negotiated by
the two companies over a period of time.
Concurrently, Aerojet will prepare its Sacramento production facility to manufacture
NK-33 engines
in the U.S. under the designation AJ26-NK33A by the end of the decade, using an
existing base of U.S. suppliers and subcontractors.
Representatives of the Russian Federation, as well as officials from NK Engines,
participated in today's test. "This engine should come to life again as a
power unit for an American launch vehicle," said NK Engines' President Eugeny
Gritsenko. "We welcome the opportunity to be partners with Aerojet in a long-term
business association that will benefit both of our companies."
The NK-33's simple, robust design integrated conventional materials and manufacturing
processes to take full advantage of the energy in the liquid oxygen-kerosene propellant.
Like many other Russian products, the NK-33 design minimizes the number of welds,
which reduces costly inspection needs while maintaining sound product integrity
and substantial operating margin.
About 450 NK-33 engines were produced during the late 1960s and early 1970s for
use on Russia's N-1 Moon Launch Vehicle. The Russians terminated their program
in 1974 and placed nearly 100 NK-33s in storage in Samara, about 1,000 kilometers
southeast of Moscow.
Contact: Julie Rovegno at
(916) 355-4904
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