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[RIGHT]Illustration of the Mars Science Laboratory rover, under development for launch in 2009 and a precision landing on Mars in 2010. Image Credit: NASA/JPL[/RIGHT]
Aerojet recently test-fired a Viking flight spare rocket engine assembly in order to help design a new engine which will deliver the next rover to the surface of Mars in 2009.
The rocket engine used in the test was originally built, tested and delivered in 1973 for the Viking program. The engine was put into storage after the successful landing of the Viking 1 and Viking 2 spacecraft on Mars in 1976.
“Aerojet hardware has flown on every U.S. mission to Mars,” said Aerojet President Michael Martin.
“We are extremely proud that the hot fire testing of the Viking Lander rocket engine assembly further proved Aerojet’s heritage capabilities in design, manufacture, test and production of propulsion systems. Our role in the Mars Science Laboratory mission will bring our work full-circle.”
Under contract with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Aerojet received the engine for five hot fire tests that were conducted to evaluate engine capabilities as well as general “health checks.”
The hot fire tests determined that the key elements and features within the Viking engine are relevant to and meet the requirements of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission.
Aerojet is building three new 700 pound thrust monopropellant rocket engine assemblies to further evaluate design changes made to increase mission flexibility and life capability. Testing is planned to continue through 2005 to support technology development for JPL.
The most significant feature of the monopropellant engine is its ability to throttle from 15-100 percent thrust with a fixed propellant inlet pressure.
The Mars Science Laboratory will be a long-range, long-duration, mobile lab that will continue the study of martian geology from the surface.
The lab will be delivered by next-generation landers using precision landing systems. The Mars Science Laboratory is part of JPL’s Mars Focused Technology Program, which is targeting a 2009 launch to deliver the new, larger rover to the surface of Mars.