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Aerojet Rocketdyne Awarded NASA Contract for Orion Spacecraft Main Engine

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    Sep 21,2021
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    Aerojet Rocketdyne Awarded NASA Contract for Orion Spacecraft Main Engine

    LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NASA has selected Aerojet Rocketdyne to build the Orion Main Engine (OME), the primary propulsion element for NASA’s Orion spacecraft that will be used to explore deep space. Under the contract, which runs through 2032, Aerojet Rocketdyne will deliver up to 20 new OME engines for use on future Artemis missions beginning with Artemis VII, or to support other NASA-sponsored, deep space exploration missions.

    The OME is a 6,000 pound-thrust bipropellant engine that is mounted on Orion’s European Service module and will be built at Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Los Angeles, California, and Redmond, Washington, facilities. The engine is used for major maneuvers in space, such as entering and departing lunar orbit, and in some mission abort scenarios. The first six Orion missions will use refurbished Orbital Maneuvering System engines (OMS-E) that were provided by Aerojet Rocketdyne for the space shuttle program.

    “Having originally designed and developed the OMS-E for the shuttle program, Aerojet Rocketdyne understands the engine’s materials, manufacturing processes and thrust levels,” said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen P. Drake. “Now we are able to incorporate modern manufacturing techniques to provide NASA with a reliable, flight-proven and affordable engine to propel the Orion spacecraft and return astronauts to the Moon. We understand this engine inside and out and are excited to develop its next generation in support of future Artemis missions.”

    In addition to the main engine, Aerojet Rocketdyne also provides, under contract to Lockheed Martin, the auxiliary engines on Orion’s service module, reaction control thrusters on the crew module, OMS-E refurbishment services and the jettison motor on the spacecraft’s launch abort system. Orion’s auxiliary engines and reaction control thrusters are produced at Aerojet Rocketdyne’s facility in Redmond, Washington. The jettison motor is a combined effort of the company’s facilities in Orange, Virginia, and Huntsville, Alabama.

    About Aerojet Rocketdyne: Aerojet Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AJRD), is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion systems and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, and tactical systems areas, in support of domestic and international customers. For more information, visit www.Rocket.com and www.AerojetRocketdyne.com. Follow Aerojet Rocketdyne and CEO Eileen Drake on Twitter at @AerojetRdyne and @DrakeEileen.

    Media Contacts:
    Mary Engola, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 571-289-1371
    Mary.Engola@rocket.com
    Todd McConnell, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 561-882-5395
    Todd.McConnell@rocket.com


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    CA Transparency in Supply Chains Act Notification: The Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc. is a manufacturer of products for the U.S. Government. As such, it is currently accepting contracts with a clause regarding slavery and human trafficking, specifically Federal Acquisition Regulation clause FAR 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons. Aerojet Rocketdyne issued an appropriate internal directive prohibiting conduct proscribed by this clause, and notified its employees of these requirements and possible consequences of noncompliance. Furthermore, Aerojet Rocketdyne requires its suppliers accept the same clause in purchase orders ultimately having federal customers, and requires their lower tier suppliers do the same. Government contractors warrant or certify their contract clause compliance, and the U.S. Government and Aerojet Rocketdyne may conduct reasonable audits of its suppliers for compliance. Aerojet Rocketdyne buyers are being trained that an exception to this clause is not to be allowed, absent a legal review.