Volvo Aero, Volvo's space and technology unit, said Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne has selected the company to participate in the early development phase of the nozzles for the J-2X engine for use on NASA’s new manned launcher ARES I, the successor of the current Space Shuttle.
Volvo Aero said it is the first time is has participated in the development of a manned system.
The company said it was chosen because of the technologies it has developed for actively and passively cooled nozzle extensions, in close collaboration with the Swedish National Space Board (SNSB). The lead theme in the development of new technologies at Volvo Aero has been to combine as simple as possible designs with robust manufacturing processes that enable a high reliability at a low product cost.
“The benefits of our sandwich technology are many," said Roland Rydén, Manager Space Marketing and Sales, U.S. "Manufacturing is based on simple commercial materials, such as sheet metal and forgings, and standard Volvo Aero core processes with a high degree of process control. Combined with simplicity in design the result is a safe, simple and cost effective product.”
The first version of the new system is expected to be ready in 2014.