Thiokol Propulsion began fabrication this month of the first development exit nose cone for Boeing's RS-68, the low cost cryogenic engine that will power the Delta IV next generation Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV). Thiokol will use a simple, four-piece ablative design that replaces a more complex multi-piece exit cone configuration. The use of phenolic materials will substantially reduce the manufacturing times and costs.

The phenolic exit cone will be delivered to Boeing for hot firing static tests in February. Three prototype exit cones have already been produced and delivered. This clears the way for fabrication of the development version. One of the three prototypes will be used for initial hot firing static tests of the exit cone in October.