Blue Origin and ULA partner on new engine
Posted: Thu, Sep 18, 2014, 8:35 AM ET (1235 GMT)
Blue Origin will develop a new hydrocarbon engine for United Launch Alliance that could serve as a replacement for the Russian-manufactured RD-180, the companies announced Wednesday. The companies will jointly fund development of the BE-4, a liquid oxygen/methane engine that produces 2.45 million newtons (550,000 lbf.) of thrust. The engine, which is already under development by Blue Origin, would be ready for full-scale tests in 2016 and first flight in 2019. Two BE-4 engines could replace the RD-180 engine currently used in the first stage of the Atlas 5 rocket, although the companies were vague about how the the engine would be used. The announcement comes after concerns that the supply of RD-180 engines could be cut off because of current tensions with Russia. Congress has proposed funding development of a domestic engine to replace the RD-180, but that could be rendered moot by the ULA-Blue Origin announcement.
Blue Origin will develop a new hydrocarbon engine for United Launch Alliance that could serve as a replacement for the Russian-manufactured RD-180, the companies announced Wednesday. The companies will jointly fund development of the BE-4, a liquid oxygen/methane engine that produces 2.45 million newtons (550,000 lbf.) of thrust. The engine, which is already under development by Blue Origin, would be ready for full-scale tests in 2016 and first flight in 2019. Two BE-4 engines could replace the RD-180 engine currently used in the first stage of the Atlas 5 rocket, although the companies were vague about how the the engine would be used. The announcement comes after concerns that the supply of RD-180 engines could be cut off because of current tensions with Russia. Congress has proposed funding development of a domestic engine to replace the RD-180, but that could be rendered moot by the ULA-Blue Origin announcement.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, February 11
Lost Soviet Moon Lander May Have Been Found
New York Times — 6:44 am ET (1144 GMT) SpaceX to launch 24 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB
Spaceflight Now — 6:43 am ET (1143 GMT) ULA sets sights on ramping up launch cadence in 2026
Spaceflight Now — 6:42 am ET (1142 GMT) NASA, Boeing still working on Starliner return to flight
Space News — 6:40 am ET (1140 GMT) Apolink and Galaxia team up to improve planned data relay capability
Space News — 6:40 am ET (1140 GMT) |
