AMPAC-ISP to Supply Space Systems/Loral With High Performance/Long Life 5-lbf Thrusters for Telstar 11N Satellite
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y., June 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ampac-ISP Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Pacific Corporation (Nasdaq: APFC) ("AMPAC-ISP"), is pleased to announce that Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) will use AMPAC-ISP's 5-lbf Platinum/Rhodium thruster to provide margin for orbit insertion as well as on-orbit stationkeeping for the Telstar 11N communications satellite. The engine has undergone extensive development and qualification testing previously, and will be tested this year to the specific mission requirements applicable to Telstar 11N. Based on AMPAC-ISP's heritage technology, the 5-lbf Platinum/Rhodium thruster will make its commercial satellite debut on Telstar 11N. In addition, SS/L will purchase an additional lot of thrusters for an upcoming program.
The thruster provides 303 lbf-sec/lbm specific impulse, better than a 3% increase over the heritage AMPAC-ISP engine, and offers longer life due to the improved chamber oxidation resistance. The heritage engine flown by Space Systems/Loral is AMPAC-ISP's 5-lbf Columbium thruster. AMPAC-ISP has been supplying Columbium thrusters to Space Systems/Loral for more than fifteen years for use on SS/L's 1300 series geostationary satellite platform.
"AMPAC-ISP's decision in 1997 to develop the next generation of stationkeeping engine has been validated with SS/L's selection of the Platinum/Rhodium engine for its Telstar 11N program. This engine provides not only added assurance for orbit insertion but the higher specific impulse and longer life will increase time on orbit and satellite life," said Robert Huebner, Vice President - AMPAC-ISP Operations.
AMPAC-ISP will deliver thrusters to Space Systems/Loral from November 2006 through April 2007, and will conduct characterization testing in parallel with production. The thruster has been qualified for the Naval Research Laboratory following nearly seven years of development that produced the highest performing MMH/NTO attitude control engine available. The thruster has demonstrated stable operation and repeatable performance over a wide range of operating conditions.
About Ampac-ISP Corp.
Ampac-ISP Corp. is a leader in the development and manufacturing of liquid rocket engines, tanks and propulsion systems for commercial and military launch vehicles and space systems. AMPAC-ISP, with facilities in Niagara Falls, New York and Westcott, United Kingdom, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Pacific Corporation. |
