Tag: Electric Propulsion
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Aerojet Rocketdyne tapped to build high-power ion drive
Above is a prototype 13-kilowatt Hall thruster during testing at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. This prototype demonstrated the technology readiness needed for industry to continue the development of high-power solar electric propulsion into a flight-qualified system. Credit: NASA Aerojet Rocketdyne has won a $67 million NASA contract to build an advanced electric propulsion…
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Job One for Aerojet’s future ion drive: Go out and get a piece of an asteroid
An artist’s concept shows a space probe powered by ion thrusters. (Credit: Aerojet Rocketdyne) Aerojet Rocketdyne’s next-generation ion thrusters could well make their debut in space during NASA’s robotic mission to grab a piece of an asteroid and bring it back to lunar orbit in the 2020s. Earlier this week, NASA announced that Aerojet’s operation in Redmond, Wash., would be…
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An engine for Mars: Aerojet wins $67M NASA contract for solar electric propulsion
A prototype 13-kilowatt Hall thruster fires during testing at NASA’s Glenn Research Center. The prototype demonstrated the technology readiness needed for industry to continue the development of high-power solar electric propulsion into a flight-ready system. (Credit: NASA) Aerojet Rocketdyne’s operation in Redmond, Wash., has won a $67 million contract from NASA to design and develop…
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Falcon 9 rocket to give SES 9 telecom satellite an extra boost
The Falcon 9 rocket stands at Cape Canaveral’s Complex 40 launch pad with the SES 9 satellite. Credit: SpaceX SpaceX and SES, owner of a 5.8-ton commercial telecom satellite poised for launch from Cape Canaveral on Wednesday, struck a deal to tweak the Falcon 9 rocket’s standard launch profile to give the SES 9 spacecraft…
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NASA gives more information on its experiment aboard the X-37B
CAPE CANAVERAL — In addition to carrying an Air Force electric propulsion thruster test, a materials research investigation sponsored by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center will be flying aboard the X-37B miniature spaceplane later this month. Liftoff is targeted for May 20 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force…
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Innovative satellites begin maneuvers with all-electric thrusters
Artist’s concept of the Eutelsat 115 West B satellite. Credit: Boeing Two ion-driven communications satellites launched from Cape Canaveral on March 1 have begun novel maneuvers using electric propulsion to reach operating posts 22,300 miles over the equator. The Boeing-built satellites will need at least six months slowly climb in altitude and adjust their orbital…