New Upper Stage Rocket Engine a Step Closer to Reality

Sierra Nevada Corporation and Air Force Research Lab Securing Contract

SPARKS, Nev., October 11, 2018 – With its patented VORTEX® engine technology, Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is one step closer to testing a brand new version of its low-cost, high-performance upper stage rocket engine. The VR35K-A, developed in conjunction with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), is a commercialized version of the VORTEX engine system. The team will provide a fully integrated engine, leveraging technologies initially developed under Small Business Innovation Research programs.

“We are committed to using technology that is cutting-edge, but also cost-effective, and the VR35K-A is a great example of both,” said SNC’s owner and CEO, Fatih Ozmen. “This solution shows how small business technologies can be accelerated into valuable applications for commercial and military use. SNC partners with several other small businesses for components and key subsystems of the engines.”

SNC is expanding on its legacy success with the VORTEX technology, using it as the baseline for the next-generation liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen upper stage class engine. State-of-the-art technology and a vortex flow field to cool the inner walls allows the new engine to be simpler, smaller and lower cost.

The overall size of the engine is also drastically smaller in comparison with traditional combustion upper stage engines, making it up to 50 percent cheaper.

“AFRL has a history of developing and discovering new technology that can be applied in air and space and we are pleased to continue our commercialization effort with them,” said Tom Crabb, vice president of SNC’s Propulsion and Environmental business unit. “SNC’s VORTEX technology is truly a unique new value to future launches and we are both excited and motivated to see this program move forward.”

Testing will continue at SNC’s upgraded rocket engine test facilities near Madison, Wisconsin. Several important commercial, civilian and military applications are planned, including small engines used in orbiting spacecraft and vehicles and larger upper stage engines for final orbit delivery. Other launch and boost applications will also be tested.

“AFRL is always looking for innovative solutions, and SNC’s VORTEX technology in the VR35K-A rocket engine adds a new high-performance and low-cost option to the upper stage engine capabilities space for launch providers.” said Dr. Shawn Phillips, chief of the Rocket Propulsion Division at AFRL.

About Sierra Nevada Corporation

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is a trusted leader in solving the world’s toughest challenges through advanced engineering technologies in Space Systems, Commercial Solutions, and National Security and Defense. Honored as one of the most innovative U.S. companies in space, SNC’s Space Systems business area designs and manufactures advanced spacecraft and satellite solutions, space habitats and environmental systems, propulsion systems, precision space mechanisms and subsystems, and SNC’s celebrated Dream Chaser® spacecraft. With 30 years of space heritage working with the U.S. government, commercial customers, and the international market, SNC has participated in more than 450 successful space missions and delivered 4,000+ systems, subsystems and components around the world. For more information, visit www.sncorp.com.

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