Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Selected to Support Boeing to Mature the Design of the CST-100 Spacecraft's Integrated Service Module and Launch Abort Propulsion System

CANOGA PARK, Calif., April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --  The Boeing Company has selected Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne to help mature the design of its Service Module and integrated Launch Abort propulsion system for the Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 spacecraft.  The propulsion system is a critical element for a safe, affordable and near-term commercial crew transportation system to low-Earth orbit.  Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

"Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is prepared and ready to execute the second round of integrated propulsion support under Boeing's Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) Space Act Agreement with NASA," said Terry Lorier, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne's CCDev program manager supporting Boeing's Commercial Crew programs.  "We look forward to continuing our partnership with Boeing in pursuit of the next-generation, commercial-crew certified spacecraft."

The CCDev 2 program builds upon the successful propulsion system design and rapid hot-fire Bantam demonstration engine tests performed during the first round of CCDev.  The CCDev 2 enables Boeing to reduce key component risks and mature its system through early Design Reviews – critical steps to ensure the system design meets all requirements.  When development is completed, the vehicle will be capable of transporting people to the International Space Station and other future low-Earth orbit destinations, including Bigelow Aerospace's planned Orbital Space Complex.  

Under its contract with Boeing, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne will leverage proven Attitude Control Propulsion System thrusters from heritage programs, the successful hot-fire Bantam test, and its storable propellant engineering capabilities to best meet Boeing's requirements.

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a part of Pratt & Whitney, is a preferred provider of high-value propulsion, power, energy and innovative system solutions used in a wide variety of government and commercial applications, including the main engines for the space shuttle, Atlas and Delta launch vehicles, missile defense systems and advanced hypersonic engines. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is headquartered in Canoga Park, Calif., and has facilities in Huntsville, Ala.; Kennedy Space Center, Fla.; West Palm Beach, Fla.; Stennis Space Center, Miss; and Carlstadt, N.J.  For more information about Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, go to www.prattwhitneyrocketdyne.com.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industries.

SOURCE Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne