P&W Rocketdyne Engines Successfully Boost Government Payload Into Space

The sky rumbled with the sound of a rocket launch on April 3 as Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne once again demonstrated the consistent reliability of its propulsion systems with the successful lift-off of a critical satellite for the U.S. government. The mission launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV medium rocket with Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RS-68 and RL10B-2 engines providing the booster and upper-stage propulsion, respectively.

The RS-68 is the world's largest hydrogen-fueled engine, designed for heavy lift with 758,000 pounds of vacuum thrust and 663,000 pounds of sea-level thrust. The RL10B-2 is a unique cryogenic upper-stage engine that provides 465 seconds of specific impulse and 24,750 pounds of thrust.

Click here to read Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne's press release.

Coverage:

• Delta 4 Rocket Successfully Lofts Surveillance Satellite (Spaceflight Now)
• Rocket Launches Secret Spy Satellite for US Military (SPACE.com)