Lockheed Martin and Aerojet Complete Successful Atlas V Block B Solid Rocket Booster Test

DENVER, Colo., June 3, 2005/Satnews Daily/ ― Lockheed Martin and Aerojet have successfully conducted the second test firing of the Atlas V upgraded Block B Solid Rocket Booster (SRB). 

Lockheed said the test firing was performed on May 24 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.  Aerojet's Block B SRB will be used on Lockheed Martin's Atlas V launch vehicle, providing enhanced performance and reliability.

The Block A SRB, a previous version of the solid motor also produced by Aerojet, was qualified in 2003 and has already flown on three separate successful Atlas V missions for Lockheed Martin. This was the second test of the Block B SRB at Aerojet's new SRB test stand at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Edwards Air Force Base. The first test was conducted April 1. 

The duration and thrust levels of the SRB test fire matched well with pre-test expectations and were completed as planned, with a burn duration of approximately 90 seconds, producing an average thrust of over 250,000 lbs. Post-test examination of the motor, insulation and nozzle revealed excellent internal performance and design margins.

 

“The Block B design has clearly demonstrated superior thermal performance and we are very pleased with the test results,” said Jim Sponnick, vice president of the Atlas Program at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. “Our customers are also pleased with the upgraded design, and we are looking forward to the performance and reliability that the Block B SRBs will provide for our upcoming Atlas V missions.”
 
Aerojet's robust Block B SRB design improves the motor's production efficiency and predictability required to meet the needs of Atlas V government and commercial missions said Lockheed Martin. The Block B program was initiated by Lockheed Martin in 2003 as part of a pre-planned product improvement effort, following the successful completion of the Block A qualification. Since 2003, a total of seven Aerojet Block A SRBs have flown successfully on all three Atlas V missions that have utilized the added thrust of solid rocket boosters.

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