Aerojet Delivers MSL Propulsion Hardware

摘要

Aerojet has delivered all of the propulsion systems it is under contract to provide for the NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, the company said in a June 5 press release. This includes solid rocket motors for the Atlas 5 rocket that will launch the nuclear-powered, SUV-sized rover and the thrusters that will power the spacecraft as it approaches the martian surface.rnAerojet built four types of spacecraft engines for the MSL mission, for a total of 40 engines and four spares. The MSL engines were shipped to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., while motors for the Atlas 5 were delivered the Denver headquarters of Atlas 5 manufacturer United Launch Alliance.