| SPACE TRAVEL | SPACE DAILY | SPACE WAR | TERRA DAILY | MARS DAILY | SPACE MART | GPS DAILY | ENERGY DAILY |
 |
Promontory UT (SPX) Sep 13, 2007 On the heels of a successful Stage 1 test burn just three months ago, and with its eye on a booster flight test next year, the Kinetic Energy Interceptors (KEI) program team fired another powerful Stage 1 rocket motor yesterday, its fourth consecutive test in the past 18 months. Under contract to the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is the KEI prime contractor, with Raytheon Company as the principal subcontractor. KEI is a land-based missile defense system featuring the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) newest high acceleration booster. Fully deployed, the system will be capable of destroying intermediate and intercontinental ballistic missiles in their boost, ascent and midcourse phases of flight. KEI is currently focused on booster development leading toward a 2008 booster flight. "Confidence in KEI continues to be extremely high," said Craig Staresinich, Northrop Grumman KEI vice president and general manager. "This program has accomplished everything the MDA has set out for it to do, in large part because of our rigorous testing program. This, coupled with the enormous talent we have on this program, has enabled us to reach several critical knowledge points. Each test proves the viability of the KEI booster. We look forward to the next six tests as we prepare to further demonstrate our capability next year." During the test at the Alliant Techsystems (ATK) facility in Promontory, the first-stage rocket motor ignited properly and successfully completed a full-duration burn. Initial results from the test matched expectations for performance and integrity. The exercise successfully achieved the ballistic missile performance with an elevated firing temperature and with the new hybrid nozzle throat, both critical objectives for the test. Yesterday's test marks the third of five planned tests to be conducted of the stage 1 motor. With each test, the team reduces risk by deriving data from each subsequent test to optimize design performance and finalize development of the flight configuration motor. KEI is a three-stage, solid-fueled ballistic missile interceptor that is approximately 40 inches in diameter and 466 inches in length. Stage 1 and Stage 2 make up the propulsion system for the missile, which will eventually carry the future multiple kill vehicle. Northrop Grumman is leading a team charged with developing and testing a KEI capability for the MDA. Raytheon leads the interceptor development work for the KEI program with ATK as its principal subcontractor responsible for performing the Stage 1 and Stage 2 rocket-motor development work. Orbital Sciences is responsible for integrating the booster and preparing for range operations to execute the booster flight in 2008. In addition to these three Stage 1 tests, the team has also proven the Stage 2 motor concept and plans four more tests of that motor in Elkton, Md., through 2008. The Northrop Grumman KEI team is nationwide, with major operations in Fair Lakes, Va.; Huntsville, Ala; and San Bernardino, Calif. Principal teammates include Raytheon Company, Tucson, Ariz.; ATK, Promontory, Utah, and Elkton, Md.; Orbital Sciences, Phoenix and Chandler, Ariz.; Honeywell, Tempe, Ariz.; Aerojet, Sacramento, Calif.; Ball Aerospace, Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Kuchera, Johnstown, Pa. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com
Boeing Selected To Build NASA's Upper Stage For Ares I
St. Louis MO (SPX) Aug 29, 2007Boeing has been awarded a NASA contract valued at approximately $514.7 million to produce the upper stage of the Ares I crew launch vehicle. This element provides the navigation, guidance, control and propulsion required for the ascent of the second-stage Ares I into low-Earth orbit.
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
