AR1 Engine
ASSURING ACCESS TO SPACE
Aerojet Rocketdyne is developing the country’s next great rocket engine, the AR1. This 500,000-pound thrust engine incorporates the latest advances in propulsion technology, materials science and manufacturing techniques to deliver an extremely cost-effective, high-performance rocket engine.
Fueled by kerosene and liquid oxygen, the AR1 requires minimal changes to existing launch infrastructure and production facilities. AR1’s choice of propellant combination, high-performance engine cycle, and thrust-level make it an attractive propulsion solution that could be easily configured to support a variety of launch vehicles.
KEY FEATURES
- All-American design and production
- Advanced oxygen-rich staged combustion kerosene technology
- 500,000 lbf thrust (sea level)
- Propellants: Liquid-oxygen (Lox)/Kerosene (RP-1)
- Configured to accommodate multiple applications
- Fast-paced and affordable development
- Advanced low-cost manufacturing techniques
Our Role
Aerojet Rocketdyne is the industry leader in building liquid-propellant rocket engines and the only company in the United States that has ever developed and flown large booster engines, including the nation’s last three major liquid rocket engines: the RS-68, J-2X, and RS-25. The RS-25, based on the Space Shuttle main engine, is the world’s only reusable, staged combustion rocket engine.
Press Releases
- Oct. 18, 2019 - Aerojet Rocketdyne and Firefly Aerospace to Provide Flexible Access to Space
- May 8, 2017 - Aerojet Rocketdyne Completes Critical Design Review for AR1 Engine
- May 4, 2017 - Successful Testing of Full-Scale Preburner Keeps AR1 Engine on Schedule for 2019
- Feb. 22, 2017 - Aerojet Rocketdyne’s AR1 Engine Sets U.S. Record
- Sept. 6, 2016 - AFRL Technology Demonstration Program Gives Boost to Future Hydrocarbon and AR1 Engines
- June 17, 2016 - AR1 Testing Underway at NASA's Stennis Space Center
