Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne completed assembly of the first J-2X upper-stage engine for NASA's next era of human spaceflight in preparation for demonstration testing expected to begin this month at Stennis Space Center, Miss.
The J-2X is a highly efficient and versatile rocket engine with characteristics to power the upper stage of a heavy-lift launch vehicle. Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.
"Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne is proud to have assembled and brought to test NASA's first new human rated engine in 31 years," said Jim Maser, President, Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne.
"Built from a proven engine design, the J-2X is a safe and reliable solution for NASA's future heavy-lift architecture."
Fueled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, the J-2X engine will generate 294,000 pounds of thrust to propel a spacecraft into low-Earth orbit. The J-2X can start and restart in space to support of a variety of mission requirements.
To view a time-lapse video of engine assembly, click here.
Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne, a part of Pratt and Whitney, is a preferred provider of high-value propulsion, power, energy and innovative system solutions used in a wide variety of government and commercial applications, including the main engines for the space shuttle, Atlas and Delta launch vehicles, missile defense systems and advanced hypersonic engines.
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