SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 2, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne, a GenCorp (NYSE:GY) company, helped propel the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) into orbit for NASA. The OCO-2 was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. Aerojet Rocketdyne propulsion included an RS-27A booster engine, an AJ10-118K upper-stage engine and four MR-103G 0.2 lbf spacecraft thrusters.
"As a propulsion provider on every Delta II launch, Aerojet Rocketdyne has been trusted to support the delivery of historic payloads that have expanded scientific knowledge and enhanced our nation's space-based capabilities," said Steve Bouley, vice president of Space Launch Systems at Aerojet Rocketdyne. "We're honored to continue that legacy with the Orbiting Carbon Observatory."
OCO-2 will be NASA's first dedicated Earth remote-sensing satellite to study atmospheric carbon dioxide from space. It is designed to collect high-resolution measurements to map the distribution of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere. When combined with data from the ground-based network, the measurements will help scientists better understand the processes that regulate atmospheric carbon dioxide and its impact on Earth's climate. The OCO-2 mission joins an amazing array of payloads launched by the Delta II with Aerojet Rocketdyne propulsion, including the Phoenix Mars Lander; Mars Polar Lander; Deep Impact; Kepler; NEAR Shoemaker and the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, as well as the Global Positioning System Block IIR fleet.
The RS-27A and AJ10-118K engines have helped place payloads into space aboard the Delta II launch vehicle for the U.S. Air Force, NASA and commercial spacecraft missions. With today's successful launch, the RS-27A has boosted 238 missions, and the AJ10-118K has placed 170 payloads into orbit. The RS‑27A is a liquid-fuel rocket engine developed by Aerojet Rocketdyne for use on the first stage of the Delta II. It provides 200,000 pounds of thrust at liftoff. The engine is a modified version of its predecessor, the RS-27. The AJ10-118K engine produces approximately 10,000 pounds of vacuum thrust for orbital insertion.
Aerojet Rocketdyne is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader providing propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, tactical systems and armaments areas, in support of domestic and international markets. GenCorp is a diversified company that provides innovative solutions that create value for its customers in the aerospace and defense, and real estate markets. Additional information about Aerojet Rocketdyne and GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the companies' websites at www.Rocket.com and www.GenCorp.com.