Aerojet Rocketdyne is putting innovation into orbit

Where No One Has Gone Before.

Humanity has long been fascinated with space – with the mysteries it holds, and our ability to explore and unlock them. From ancient astronomers to the foremost innovators of today, we have strived to expand our understanding of the universe by continuing ever-greater pursuits and pushing technological limits.

This timeless endeavor continues across multiple programs and initiatives – including NASA’s development of spacecraft that will allow astronauts to explore regions of space where no human has ever been, such as near-Earth asteroids, neutral gravity zones known as Lagrange points and, eventually, a human mission to Mars.

Boosting Innovation.

Aerojet Rocketdyne is an aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion systems and other innovative technologies for mission-critical applications. Currently, the company is developing the liquid engines for the world’s most powerful rocket – NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) – which will make ground-breaking voyages, including future human flight to Mars.

It begins with the RS-25 rocket engine, the first large reusable rocket engine in history. These engines successfully powered all 135 Space Shuttle flights, enabling advancements such as microgravity research, the construction of the International Space Station, and deployment and servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope.

Aerojet Rocketdyne is adapting the RS-25 engines to support NASA’s SLS that will carry an Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle – initially unmanned, then progressing to a crew of up to four astronauts, plus cargo and equipment – on long-duration, deep-space missions.

The existing RS-25 engines will be expended in a cluster of four to provide thrust for the launch vehicle’s core stage, which will exceed 512,000 pounds vacuum thrust each (109 percent of rated power level) to augment the vehicle's heavy lift capability. As the SLS evolves, it will provide an unprecedented payload lift capability of 130 metric tons.

The new engine controller unit, with integrated ADI technology, allows communication between vehicle and engine; provides closed-loop management of the engine by regulating thrust and fuel mixture ratio; drives electric power to all control elements, sensors and effectors; and monitors engine health and status.

A Portfolio of Performance.

For more than 50 years, Analog Devices has enabled customers to develop advanced aerospace and defense systems that achieve the highest levels of performance while reducing size, weight, power, system cost and development time.

With our broad portfolio of robust, reliable and radiation-tolerant products, technical capabilities and system-level knowledge, we’re proud to help customers confidently develop designs that perform in the most demanding environments and fulfill the most challenging mission objectives, today and tomorrow.

For Aerojet Rocketdyne, NASA – and mankind – that mission means progressively pushing the boundaries of space exploration, safely sending a crew to Mars, returning them home, and expanding the definition of what is possible.