OPERATIONAL RUSSIAN NK-33 or RD-180 rocket engines will be used to power the first stage of the Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AR satellite launcher, following a decision by Rocketdyne to pull out of the competition.
The firm felt that its proposed new MA-5A engine could not meet the production deadline required for a 1998 2AR maiden flight (Flight International, 15-21 November).
The NK-33 engine, originally developed for the former Soviet Union's ill-fated N1 Moon rocket programme, is being tested by Aerojet in Sacramento California, under a partnership with Russia's Samara-NK Engines group.
The fifth test firing was completed on 15 November and lasted for 150s, building up to a 114% nominal thrust of 1,710kN (385,000lb).
Source: Flight International
