NASA Awards Three Space Launch System Contracts
By Space Coast Daily // December 15, 2012
For Rocket Booster Risk Reduction
BREVARD COUNTY • KENNEDY SPACE CENTER – Three contracts for risk reduction on potential new boosters for the Space Launch System rockets have been awarded by NASA.
The heavy lift rocket boosters are expected to carry mankind farther into space than ever before.
Given contracts were:
• NORTHROP GRUMMAN. The company will demonstrate manufacturing techniques for a new Space Lauch System rocket fuel tank.
• ATK. It intends to build an advanced Space Launch System solid rocket and plans to reduce risk on a variety of rocket components, including exhaust nozzles, avionics and propellants.
• DYNETICS. The firm will partner with Rocketdyne in constructing a modernized version of the powerful F-1 rocket and will demonstrate the use of modern manufacturing techniques on portions of the rocket engine, including the power pack and cryogenics tanks.
In a press release, NASA said that even though each of these three companies has been awarded risk reduction contracts, it does not compel them to bid on production of Space Launch System engines, which will start in 2015.
These new Space Launch System boosters are not scheduled to launch until 2021.
