US, French Rocketeers Plan Common Engine Project

Asian Aerospace 2000 -- Pratt and Whitney's space propulsion division and Snecma's rocket engine division, Snecma Moteurs, have agreed jointly to develop and produce a new upper stage rocket engine, under an MoU disclosed at P&W's West Palm Beach, Florida HQ on the eve of the Changi show.

The new powerplant, the SPW2000, will be a liquid oxygen and hydrogen engine delivering from 45,000 to 60,000 pounds thrust for potential applications on the Ariane 5, Delta and Atlas launch vehicles.

The MoU awaits respective government and agency approvals before becoming operative. The two partners envisage each taking the lead role in marketing the engine in the US and Europe respectively. Each will assemble and test engines using components it has produced or which have been supplied by the other party.

By Bob Rodwell