INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: AMPAC In-Space Propulsion
Q: Please provide a brief overview of AMPAC ISP’s product portfolio.
A: AMPAC-ISP manufactures monopropellant and bipropellant liquid engines and propulsion systems used on a variety of commercial and defense satellites, for space exploration, launch vehicles and missile defense. AMPAC-ISP has increased product offerings with the aerospace structural components and system valve components businesses acquired in 2008. AMPAC-ISP designs and builds propulsion systems ranging from small monopropellant systems for LEO constellations, to large propulsion systems for exploration and Earth observation, to compact attitude control systems for hitto- kill. Many of these use AMPAC-ISP’s low-cost propellant tanks.
Q: Please explain the services AMPACISP provides for launch site support.
A: AMPAC-ISP provides a variety of launch site support services, including fueling and detanking; HAZWOPER training; propulsion system functional testing; installation of ordnance; fuel and oxidizer processing and loaded propellant tanks; and range/ground safety interface. We have provided these services at several U.S. government facilities and fuel and oxidizer shipments to international launch sites.
Q: Summarize the significant DoD space and missile defense programs your products support.
A: AMPAC-ISP engines are baseline equipment on the Wideband Global SATCOM [WGS] satellites. AMPAC-ISP propulsion systems support the MDA’s Critical Measurements Program, and Critical Measurements and Countermeasures Programs. We are developing a high-performance, low-cost divert and attitude control system for a hit-to-kill application for the MDA. We will also be providing engines for both the Tracking Data Relay Satellite [TDRS] and GPS III programs.
Q: How is AMPAC ISP tailoring its portfolio to respond to the government and commercial sectors’ increasing interest in smaller satellites?
A: We are sensitive to the fact that the customer base is moving toward smaller satellites to reduce cost and improve operational flexibility. An important aspect of this for ISP is to be able to offer turnkey propulsion solutions that reduce our customers’ integration costs. This is a driving factor for our internal expansion. We have invested capital to expand our assembly and test operations, and are creating manufacturing work cells dedicated to the production of small propulsion systems at progressively lower cost. In terms of technology, our R&D activities are focused on higher performance, lower cost monopropellant and bipropellant engines, and we are investigating alternative propellants for these applications. Some of these small satellites will require innovative propulsion solutions to meet challenging mission requirements and progressively shrinking mass budgets. ISP is partnering with industry and universities in this area to develop these solutions.
Q: How do AMPAC’s other divisions complement the ISP sector’s programs?
A: American Pacific’s Specialty Chemicals division supports ISP technology development in the areas of propellant and catalyst chemistry. The divisions are currently working to identify and characterize alternative propellants and catalysts to provide improved engine performance and handling.
Q: How will AMPAC ISP remain profitable and competitive given the reductions in the president’s FY10 proposed budget for space and missile defense programs?
A: AMPAC-ISP’s business is well diversified between the commercial, government and defense sectors and is positioned in both the U.S. and Europe. This diversification will help us weather potential U.S. budget reductions. The majority of our forecasted business is tied to commercial programs and government programs that are not expected to be affected. Continued profitability comes from continuous improvement and a strict focus on cost reduction in every aspect of our operation. We are investing in infrastructure to provide enhanced engineering tools and manufacturing and test facilities to reduce design and production costs. This focus on continuous improvement and investment provides a platform to improve our competitive position.
Q: Your forecast, please, on state-of-theart developments for propulsion systems in the next three years. Will industry deliver any truly revolutionary new products or systems?
A: Propulsion system developments and improvements are driven by customers’ needs and competitive positions. The high cost of launches drives our customers to demand incremental technology improvements to reduce launch mass or provide longer on-orbit time for the same mass. These customers are not demanding technology leaps and are not funding technology changes beyond incremental at this time; therefore, these solutions are not likely to be realized. ♦