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
|
|
NASA IG cites overconfidence and unrealistic schedules for Starliner woes
Posted: Sat, Jul 4 8:11 PM ET (0011 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Friday, July 17
Serbia joins NASA's space exploration partnership Artemis Accords
SeeNews — 5:11 am ET (0911 GMT) The Italian Space Agency announces the passing of President Teodoro Valente
ASI — 5:09 am ET (0909 GMT) Deep space pioneer Henon signs to launch with Plato
ESA — 5:08 am ET (0908 GMT) Taiwan lawmakers to remove legal hurdles for Starlink to operate
The Standard (Hong Kong) — 5:06 am ET (0906 GMT) UK to field offensive space squadrons in national first
UK Defence Journal — 5:05 am ET (0905 GMT) |
