At the L3Harris facility in Orange, VA, technicians load the jettison motor for Artemis IV into a casting chamber. This motor is an essential element of NASA's Orion spacecraft Launch Abort System; it is one of three solid rocket motors in the system and integral to mission safety and success.
CULPEPER, Va., August 13, 2024 — L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) has achieved a significant milestone by successfully casting the jettison motor, a key component of the Launch Abort System (LAS) for NASA’s Orion spacecraft, for Artemis III and IV. The jettison motor is one of three solid rocket motors on the LAS that will help ensure the safety and success of the mission.
Through Artemis missions, NASA will make history by landing the first woman, the first person of color, and the first international astronaut on the moon's surface. Artemis III will mark humanity's return to the lunar surface after more than 50 years, and Artemis IV is slated to be the first mission to the Gateway space station in lunar orbit.
“Positioned atop NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, the jettison motor is a rocket on top of a rocket. Its job is to outpace the massive SLS rocket during each mission,” said Kristin Houston, President, Space Propulsion and Power Systems, Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris. “Engineered with precision and rigor, the jettison motor propels astronauts to safety in the most demanding of circumstances.”
During a nominal mission profile, the jettison motor fires for under two seconds and provides approximately 40,000 pounds of thrust to separate Orion’s LAS from the crew module and SLS rocket. Once the LAS separates from the crew module, the astronauts can continue on their journey to the Moon.
L3Harris’ Orange County site has extensive expertise in solid rocket motor technology in civil and defense applications, and it’s one of several sites expanding its facilities to increase solid rocket motor production. Employees at the Huntsville, Alabama, site produced the Artemis III jettison motor case. The jettison motor is now undergoing further processing and inspection before delivery to Lockheed Martin for integration with NASA’s Orion spacecraft.
About L3Harris Technologies
L3Harris Technologies is the Trusted Disruptor in the defense industry. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security. Visit L3Harris.com for more information.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Such statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements about motor capabilities are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. L3Harris disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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