Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Propulsion Powers Atlas V Upper Stage

Video Credit: SpaceVidsNet, via YouTube

In another awesome display of consistent and reliable rocket launch propulsion, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne and RD AMROSS successfully propelled a critical U.S. government satellite into orbit on June 20. The spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The Atlas V is powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 booster engine, and the 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 fueled by kerosene/liquid oxygen mixture, provides an environmentally-clean operation, and uses an extremely efficient, high-pressure staged combustion cycle.

Click here to read the Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne press release. 

Coverage:

• Atlas V Launches Launches NRO Spysat (Space Daily)
• Hush, Hush US Spy Satellite Blasts Off Atop Milestone Atlas Rocket (Universe Today)
• Air Force Launches US Spy Satellite on Secret Mission (SPACE.com)