WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Nov. 26, 2011 – Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne demonstrated the consistent reliability of its power and propulsion systems by successfully boosting the Mars Science Laboratory rover, which will travel to the red planet to assess its habitability. The mission launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida by a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The Atlas V is powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 booster engine, and the Centaur upper stage is powered by the Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RL10 engine.
The Atlas V Centaur upper stage is powered by a single RL10A4-2 engine that delivers 22,300 pounds of thrust. The Atlas V Common Core booster is powered by the RD-180 engine and delivers nearly 1 million pounds of thrust. The RD-180 is the only liquid oxygen/kerosene fueled engine with an oxygen-rich staged-combustion cycle flying in the United States today.
Read Pratt & Whitney's press release here.
Coverage:
- L.A. Times: NASA launches largest-ever Mars rover
- National Journal: NASA Launches Mission to Mars
- Christian Science Monitor: For NASA's rover Curiosity, it's 'Mars or Bust!'
- San Fernando Valley Business Journal: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Ends 2011 Missions with Mars Rover Launch
- Reuters (via Montreal Gazette): Rover sniffs out possibility of life on Mars
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