Contact: Patrick Louden Tel: (561) 796-6793 Web Site: www.pw.utc.com Pratt & Whitney Space Propulsion - COBRA Pratt & Whitney and Aerojet have teamed to provide the widest range of main propulsion options in support of second generation, reusable launch vehicles (2GRLV). Pratt & Whitney’s strengths in reusable rocket turbo-machinery and health and maintenance management systems used for jet engines complement Aerojet’s strengths in combustion devices and the integration and production of large propulsion systems such as those used for Titan. Propulsion systems offered by Pratt & Whitney-Aerojet Propulsion Associates cover a wide range of thrust, for both hydrogen and hydrocarbon propellants, allowing the greatest flexibility for vehicle customers and NASA to select and execute optimum 2GRLV architecture. One of these propulsion systems is the COBRA, a long-life, moderate-to high-thrust, reusable booster engine that incorporates a safe, low-cost, low-risk, LH2/LOX single burner, fuel-rich, staged combustion cycle. Mature, flight proven Space Shuttle Main Engine alternate turbopumps reduce technical, schedule, and programmatic risk while at the same time meet safety and reliability goals. Description Single pre-burner, fuel-rich staged combustion cycle Double containment, failsafe powerhead, hot gas system Incorporates flight-certified SSME Block II turbopumps Long-life, robust, milled-channel nozzle construction eliminates hot side weld joints Smooth start transients avoid life-limiting thermal stress Blanch-shielded, formed-platelet liner technology reduces hotwall stress Turbine inlet temperature reduced 500°F relative to the SSME, promotes longer life Integrated engine controls and health management system enhance safety and maintainability Low development cost/risk based on use of flight-qualified hardware and mature technologies Characteristics Thrust (vac): 200,000-1,000,000 lbf Dry Weight (at 600k thrust): 8,000 lbm Specific impulse (vac): 455 sec Cycle: Staged combustion Propellants: Liquid hydrogen / liquid oxygen Mixture ratio: 5.5:1 to 6.5:1 Shutdown reliability: 0.9995 Catastrophic reliability: 0.999995 Mission life: > 100 missions Time between overhauls: > 50 missions Scheduled maintenance per flight: < 100 man-hours Turnaround between flights: < 16 hours |