Aerojet Rocketdyne Thrusters Help Cygnus Spacecraft Berth at the International Space Station
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 29, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne, a GenCorp company (NYSE:GY), announced today that its propulsion helped position Orbital Sciences Corporation's (NYSE:ORB) Cygnus cargo logistics spacecraft for a successful berthing with the International Space Station (ISS).
Following in-orbit activation shortly after launch on Sept. 18, Cygnus carried out a series of tests and maneuvers using 32 Aerojet Rocketdyne MR-106M 7 lbf monopropellant hydrazine thrusters to demonstrate its readiness to rendezvous and berth with the ISS. Berthing was accomplished today at 8:44 a.m. EDT.
"This success marks a great milestone for the entire Cygnus team," said Aerojet Rocketdyne Vice President of Space Systems, Warren Yasuhara. "Our thrusters, designed and manufactured by our Redmond, Washington team, were used to maneuver Cygnus near the ISS for capture by the Canadarm. Following its 30-day mission, Cygnus will rely on our thrusters to also power the vehicle's departure from the ISS."
Named after former NASA astronaut and Orbital executive, the Cygnus Spaceship G. David Low consists of a common Service Module and a Pressurized Cargo Module. After delivery of supplies to the ISS, Cygnus will be packed with disposal cargo and destructively deorbit.
This Commercial Orbital Transportation (COTS) demonstration mission marked the second successful flight of Orbital's Antares rocket that is powered by dual Aerojet Rocketdyne AJ26 main engines.
Aerojet Rocketdyne is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader providing propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, tactical systems and armaments areas, in support of domestic and international markets. GenCorp is a diversified company that provides innovative solutions that create value for its customers in the aerospace and defense, energy and real estate markets. Additional information about Aerojet Rocketdyne and GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the companies' websites at www.Rocket.com and www.GenCorp.com.
CONTACT: Glenn Mahone, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 202-302-9941 Glenn.Mahone@Rocket.com Kristin Conner, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 916-355-2143 Kristin.Conner@Rocket.com
The Wall Street Journal news department was not involved in the creation of this content.
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