GlobeNewswire Inc | Nov 13, 2020 08:48PM EST

November 14, 2020

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Nov. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne propulsion hardware played a key role in the successful launch of a classified U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) payload from Space Launch Complex 41 here aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket.

We take our role in helping to launch critical national security assets into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office very seriously, said Eileen P. Drake, Aerojet Rocketdynes CEO and president. Our flight proven and reliable RL10 upper-stage engines have supported these types of missions for nearly six decades, and we look forward to providing them for many years to come.

The Atlas Vs Centaur cryogenic upper stage is powered by Aerojet Rocketdynes RL10 engine, which is built in West Palm Beach, Florida, and completed its 500thflight earlier this year. The highly reliable RL10 has long been a mainstay of U.S. national security and space exploration programs, a legacy that will continue with ULAs Vulcan Centaur rocket, which is expected to debut next year.

For pitch, yaw and roll control, the Centaur relies on 12 Aerojet Rocketdyne MR-106 reaction control thrusters built in Redmond, Washington. Pressure tanks provided by Aerojet Rocketdynes ARD subsidiary, located in Carlstadt, New Jersey, support both the Centaur as well as the rockets first stage.

About Aerojet Rocketdyne: Aerojet Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AJRD), is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion systems and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, and tactical systems areas, in support of domestic and international customers. For more information, visit www.Rocket.com and www.AerojetRocketdyne.com. Follow Aerojet Rocketdyne and CEO Eileen Drake on Twitter at @AerojetRdyne and @DrakeEileen.

Media ContactsTodd McConnell, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 561-882-5395Todd.McConnell@rocket.comMary Engola, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 571-289-1371Mary.Engola@rocket.com