AMPAC-ISP Bipropellant Engines Provide Attitude Control for X-37B Vehicle

NIAGARA FALLS, N. Y., Feb. 22, 2011, AMPAC-ISP CORP., American Pacific Corporation’s (Nasdaq: APFC) wholly-owned In-Space Propulsion subsidiary (AMPAC-ISP or AMPAC In-Space Propulsion), is producing bipropellant thrusters for the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle under contract to Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems.  These engines provide vernier reaction control for the spacecraft and are designed in varied configurations to match the vehicle contour at their specific locations.

The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle is an unmanned space vehicle used by the United States Air Force to explore reusable vehicle technologies in support of long-term space objectives.  These objectives include space experimentation, risk reduction, and concept of operations development.  The X-37B is one of the world’s newest and most advanced re-entry spacecraft.  Designed to operate in low-earth orbit, the vehicle is the first since the Space Shuttle with the ability to return experiments to Earth for further inspection and analysis.  The bipropellant engines that AMPAC-ISP supplies for X-37B were developed and qualified in the mid-1990s for Boeing Satellite Systems, with more than four hundred (400) delivered to date.  “AMPAC-ISP is proud of our contribution to the inaugural test flight of the X-37B and the important mission that this vehicle fulfils.  

Our heritage bipropellant engines have extended our proven track record in space,” said Robert Huebner, American Pacific Corporation, Vice President – AMPAC-ISP.