Those attitude control thrusters were all created in Redmond .” Currently Artemis I and II are sitting at Cape Canaveral . “ We provide the engines to the European Space Agency for the Orion spacecraft service module ,” he added . Additionally , the Redmond facility provides Lockheed Martin with engines for Orion ’ s crew module .
Aerojet Rocketdyne provides a suite of propulsion on ULA ’ s Atlas V launch vehicle , including the RL10 upper-stage engines made in West Palm Beach , Florida , and 12 reaction control system thrusters made in Redmond , Washington , that provide pitch , yaw and roll control for the Centaur upper stage , as well as settling burns .
Fred Wilson , director of business development for in-space propulsion has been with the company for 34 years . His background offers the classic story of a rocket scientist with a Master of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering .
Wilson has worked on many parts of Aerojet Rocketdyne during his tenure , “ I ’ ve worn just about every hat there is to wear ,” he said .
His job is to talk to customers about missions and how their products can help their missions and requirements . Now , with the landing of the Mars Perseverance he said he is having a lot of discussions with JPL .
“ A key new program we are focused on with NASA ’ s Jet Propulsion Laboratory ( JPL ) is regarding the Mars Sample Return mission , which is one output of the rover to send back samples for analysis ,” he said . He indicated there are some significant technical challenges to be solved with both building new , larger scale vehicles for Mars as well as sending samples back to Earth .
Wilson sees a broad picture for exploration in the future with , “ The fundamental human need to explore places we ’ ve never been , exploring other planets , moons and asteroids is important .” He said he does see humans colonizing on Mars — but first sees the development of a lunar gateway — an outpost .
“ The lunar gateway will orbit the moon and will serve as a staging ground for exploration ,” he said .
Wilson said that Aerojet Rocketdyne , now being acquired by Lockheed Martin , has a strong reputation as , “ the company to go to if you need to get to your destination .” He added that there are many startups bringing many solutions to the table , but noted that Aerojet Rocketdyne has the proof of mission success . “ We ’ ve provided propulsion for 90 percent of NASA missions leaving Earth ’ s orbit , as well as space propulsion for all of the major satellite manufacturers .”
Hollywood has taken a human story of exploration and told it — while Aerojet Rocketdyne continues to propel the space industry further than most , and that is their reality in Redmond , Washington and beyond .
Both Young and Wilson are engaged in the human mission to understand and explore Earth and beyond in the future . Young said a challenge will be continued financial support for NASA programs .
Aerojet Rocketdyne
11411 139th Pl NE , Redmond , WA 98052 https :// www . rocket . com
For additional information or business opportunities , please contact : David Baughman Aerojet Rocketdyne ’ s Redmond Business Development Lead david . baughman @ rocket . com .
JUNE | JULY 2021 ISSUE NO . 21 15