Aerojet Rocketdyne has expanded its rocket facility in Los Angeles, USA, to produce space engines for NASA.
The RS-25 main engines will be deployed as part of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS), which plans to send astronauts to the Moon as early as 2024.
The US$59 million expansion reportedly adds 30,000 ft2 of manufacturing space to the facility and includes renovations to existing buildings, four new selective laser melting (SLM) machines for additive manufacturing (AM), and new testing and storage facilities including a range of nondestructive inspection equipment. Aerojet has also created around 11,000 ft2 of additional weld space and installed horizontal vacuum furnace for brazing exotic engine materials.
‘This expanded facility will serve NASA’s human exploration requirements for decades to come,’ said Eileen P Drake, Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO.
This story uses material from Aerojet, with editorial changes made by Materials Today.
