Northrop Grumman rocket boosters power successful Space Force launch

Written by Copernical Team Thursday, 01 August 2024 22:22

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Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 01, 2024

Five 63-inch-diameter Graphite Epoxy Motor (GEM 63) solid rocket boosters from Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) have successfully launched the U.S. Space Force (USSF)-51 mission for the USSF Space Systems Command aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket. Jim Kalberer, vice president of propulsion systems at Northrop Grumman, stated, "Our GEM 63 rocket motors deliver rel

Northrop Grumman rocket boosters power successful Space Force launch
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 01, 2024

Five 63-inch-diameter Graphite Epoxy Motor (GEM 63) solid rocket boosters from Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) have successfully launched the U.S. Space Force (USSF)-51 mission for the USSF Space Systems Command aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket.

Jim Kalberer, vice president of propulsion systems at Northrop Grumman, stated, "Our GEM 63 rocket motors deliver reliable, proven propulsion for customers' most meaningful missions. From missiles that protect the homeland to rocket motors that provide access to space, power exploration and promote discovery, we are providing advanced propulsion systems our customers need now."

Northrop Grumman is advancing technology and expanding its facilities to offer essential propulsion capabilities. The company is near completion on several new solid rocket motor manufacturing facilities, which will support the production of various propulsion products, including the GEM boosters.

The new facilities will handle nearly every phase of solid rocket motor manufacturing, such as propellant mixing and casting, composite case manufacturing, final assembly and integration of subcomponents, material storage, and motor shipping. This expansion will enhance the company's existing capabilities and support increased production rates for several programs, including GEM boosters for ULA.

Since 1964, Northrop Grumman has been providing rocket propulsion to ULA and its predecessor companies for different launch vehicles. The GEM family of strap-on motors began in the early 1980s with the GEM 40, which supported 132 Delta II launches with over a thousand motors. So far, 32 GEM 63 boosters have been used in nine Atlas V launches, and two GEM 63XL boosters supported the inaugural flight of ULA's Vulcan Centaur rocket.