Aerojet Rocketdyne: Replacing Russian Engines Would Take Four Years

Aviation Week (5/20, Morring, 3K) reports that according to Julie Van Kleeck, Aerojet Rocketdyne vice president for Advanced Space & Launch Systems, if the US decided to build alternate versions to the Russian-built RD-180 and AJ-26 engines now used on the Atlas V and Antares rockets it would take “at least four years” if properly funded. Van Kleeck said that Aerojet Rocketdyne has the capability to do that work, but the US would have to commit to it first. The company already modifies the AJ-26 for Antares ‘ missions to the ISS and is preparing to construct “an expendable version of the RS-25D Space Shuttle Main Engine “for the Space Launch System.