Boeing and Lockheed's United Launch Alliance, or ULA, is set to amplify its commitment to the Blue Origin rocket engines, with Blue Origin and ULA agreeing to the work on expanding the capability of BE-4 rocket engines.
Blue Origin was founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, and the move comes as ULA considers a buyout of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, according to sources close to the matter.
Last year, Blue Origin and ULA said they would develop a rocket engine fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) with liquid oxygen as the oxidizer to replace the RD-180 engines made in Russia, which are currently used on the Atlas 5 booster. The BE-4 engines would be used in the ULA's new Vulcan rocket, which will exceed the capability of the Atlas V.
The replacement is needed because the ULA is no longer permitted to import Russian engines, with a congressional ban being put in place due to Russia's involvement in Ukraine.
Aerojet is reportedly working on another engine on its own, but it is suggested that the development of this engine is at least 16 months behind the development of the BE-4.
Bezos is expected to unveil plans for a new rocket manufacturing plant and launch pad at Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, which is located near the NASA Kennedy Space Center, on Sept. 15. Blue Origin will use the BE-4 engines in rockets of its own, and will also sell them to ULA and other customers.
If the engine deal works out as well as the two companies hope, ULA could have a rocket that is fully made in the U.S. by 2019, a title that only SpaceX currently holds.
Via: VentureBeat
