Aerojet, the rocket motor division of GenCorp, has successfully completed a hot-fire test of its new low earth orbit (LEO)-7 second stage rocket motor at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Edwards Air Force Base in California, US.
Aerojet advanced programs director John Napior said: "This initial ground hot-fire test demonstrates the success of our motor development efforts enabling rapid, low-cost access to space."
Tested in support of low earth orbiting nanosatellite integrated defence autonomous system programme, Aerojet’s LEO motor will be used to power the Super Strypi satellite launch system.
The use of three solid fuel rockets stacked on each other is claimed to allow Super Strypi to carry out low-cost light payload space launches into orbit.
Under contract from the Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory and Operationally Responsive Space office, the firm will develop a set of flight demonstration motors, following the completion of fabrication and test of motors.
The company is also planning to launch its developed flight demonstration vehicle aboard a refurbished scout rail launcher from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii, US, in fall 2013.
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By GlobalDataAerojet Strategic Systems executive director Mark Kaufman said the design attributes of the LEO-7 motor will serve as applications in both small launch vehicles and strategic deterrence missile architectures.
"Additionally, the project is an exemplary demonstration of collaborative research efforts between industry and government in the pursuit of affordably sustaining our critical solid rocket motor industrial base," Kaufman added.
Featuring designs adapted from the Aerojet’s collective commercial and government-sponsored solid rocket motor technology programmes, the second stage LEO-7 motor ferries nearly 7,000lb of solid rocket propellant.
Image: Aerojet’s LEO-7 second stage rocket motor during its test. Photo: courtesy of Aerojet.
