Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne J-2X Engine for NASA's Future Human Spaceflight Ready for Test

CANOGA PARK, Calif., June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & 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 & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

"Pratt & 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 & 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: http://tinyurl.com/3vxm25f

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a part of Pratt & 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.  Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is headquartered in Canoga Park, Calif., and has facilities in Huntsville, Ala.; Kennedy Space Center, Fla.; Stennis Space Center, Miss; West Palm Beach, Fla.; and ARDE, Carlstadt, NJ.  For more information about Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, go to www.prattwhitneyrocketdyne.com.  

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industries.

SOURCE Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne

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