ATK Offers Replacement for RD-180 Engine
Arlington, Va., Sept. 23, 2014 (ATK PR) – ATK (NYSE: ATK) has provided the U.S. Air Force an American-made commercial solid rocket solution as a replacement for the RD-180 Russian-made, first-stage engine of United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Atlas V launch vehicle.
“ATK’s solid rocket propulsion solution provides a cost-effective, reliable solution based on advanced technology,” said Blake Larson, president of ATK’s Aerospace Group. “I am confident our solution will meet the capabilities of the current RD-180 engine and provide added performance if required.”
The development of new technologies has led to innovative design improvement with solid rocket motors, resulting in higher performance and increased reliability and affordability. Over the past seven years, ATK has incorporated those new technologies in the development of six new solid rocket motors – some developed in less than two years.
“By combining our extensive experience with new technologies, we have provided commercial customers with low-cost solutions that progressed from design to flight qualification within months,” said Larson. “Using a similar approach, ATK’s propulsion solution will provide the U.S. Air Force with an RD-180 replacement rapidly and at a highly competitive cost.”
Solid rocket motors are optimal for first-stage performance as they provide high lift-off thrust, allowing for more payload margin. They also require less ground and launch infrastructure, resulting in fewer launch scrubs.
Due to unmatched reliability, solid propulsion is used in every stage of America’s strategic defense arsenal. New solid rocket motor technology has the capability to provide a smooth lift for payloads, which is especially important when launching critical payloads, sensitive satellites and crews.
This technology has resulted in decades of successful launches within the government and commercial industries. ATK has provided more than 1,900 commercial and more than 14,000 government solid rocket motors and integrated stages, all domestically built.
Manufacturing and testing of ATK’s solution for the RD-180 replacement will take place within the United States using tooling and infrastructure already in place across the country.
“We recognize and congratulate the Air Force and ULA on their tremendous launch record,” said Larson. “We are pleased to offer this solution to provide low-cost assured access for current and future National Security Space launch requirements.”
ATK is an aerospace, defense, and outdoor sports and recreation company with operations in 21 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/atk, or on Twitter @ATK.
11 responses to “ATK Offers Replacement for RD-180 Engine”
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Liberty lives!!!!!!! lol…
Liberty… LOL
It would be interesting if they could build 2-3 different first stages with different profiles.
Regardless, this might be a useful replacement for rd-180
Petards. Inspiring… I must notice though, that trampoline is even more affordable AND reusable solution.
When one of the AF generals was on talking about the RD-180, he said they could do it all with solids. USAF has hired SpaceX for some missions that don’t require certification. They should do the same for ATK. 4 flights. USAF has plenty of funds. Orbital does all solids and they could run this program and get it flying. I think it is a great idea. The Ares 1X was developed real fast. It would be nice if there were multiple systems. They say crew, so USAF maybe would do that also. They say they are smooth now, so unlike the Shuttle they may have the shake fixed.
The Ares 1X was developed real fast. LOL. You are joking, right?
The one real issue against solids is that once they’re lit, they’re lit and you can’t turn the off unlike liquids. That was the issue with Ares, trying to escape the debris field of a rocket that was continuing to accelerate.
I don’t believe that we’ll ever see the day when an hsf craft uses solids.
Cheers
A study released in July 2009 by the 45th Space Wing of the US Air Force concluded that an abort 30–60 seconds after launch would have a ~100% chance of killing all crew, due to the capsule being engulfed until ground impact by a cloud of 4,000 °F (2,200 °C) solid propellant fragments, which would melt the capsule’s nylon parachute material. NASA’s study showed the crew capsule would have flown beyond the more severe danger. This may be what you remember. I always wonder why they could not just fire the 2nd stage. If it would correct the flight path.
As I remember it was 2 years. When Constellation was introduced I remember ATK saying they had segments for a SRB with no use planned. They used that and NASA centers made most of the rest. Solids can be turned off by venting. They still burn, but no thrust. They don’t explode, the pressure is released. Peacekeeper does this. You have seen HSF fly solids with Shuttle and SLS will use them. Also Atlas. You may never see one use solids only though. The passengers really were being shaken, but they did not mind. I think it is Star Trek Enterprise shows a clip at the start of each show. With the crew vehicle on top, it would be safe.
USAF needs something fast. They do have SpaceX however. This does not have to be done. If ATK has to come up with all the money needed, it probably will not fly. USAF and Congress wants to keep solids going though. The Shuttle SRB,3 million lbs thrust,1.3 million lbs. weight, cost was 23 million$ each, with a Castor 2nd stage ought to work nice. Orbital electronics and software. Use KSC processing and the new multi use NASA pad. Might have a good price. Solids just set on the pad. Very simple. No plumbing and no super cold temps. Just a power and data cable.
It is the safest. No pad explosions. Might have a hydraulic fire. They should have kept Ares-1. The best launcher for crew. The safest, the least problems. Looks like a General like Bolden would want large segmented solids. SLS will not take many. Shuttles delivered some satellites, so the shake must not be a problem.
I wonder what their prices would be.
The reason they insist on keeping America in the solid rocket business is because we need to maintain the infrastructure to build ICBMs during the 15-30 year gaps in production. (Europe seems to be going this way with their latest design, and Russia doesn’t need a secondary program to build missile technology, or export it for that matter).
I’ve suggested they scrap the whole pretense of building pointless programs around them (shuttle, SLS, Liberty). Just design a solid that will fit some sweet spot for the Falcon/Atlas/Delta/etc, and then produce so many a year and give them away to Space-X and ULA. It’s much cheaper than building entire multi-billion dollar programs around the technology as an excuse to keep building it. Speaking of pretense, move ATK to Florida and give up the whole segmented booster mess that killed Challenger. Or really any East or Gulf coast state will do.
Well, a question if I may, why would SpaceX want solids and become reliant on an external engine manufacturer? Seems like that the issue for ULA.
Cheers
Wow now this is the craziest idea I’ve heard yet which includes replacing the RD-180 with an updated F-1 which ironically probably would be much less work.
Actually an updated F1 despite tank changes may not be all that crazy as it could in theory be qualified even before both the AR-1 and the BE-4.
Staged combustion engines are a pain.
Really if ATK wants to fly a big solid so bad then they should just go into business making a launcher themselves since they merged with OSC.