Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.
- Founded: 1942
- Country:
- Industry:
- Headquarters: Palm Bay, Florida, USA
Description: Aerojet Rocketdyne is a leading aerospace and defense company specializing in the development and production of advanced propulsion and power systems for space, missile defense, and strategic systems. The company plays a critical role in space exploration and national security, providing propulsion technologies for NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, and commercial aerospace partners.
Vision:
To be the world’s premier provider of advanced propulsion and energy systems, driving technological progress in space and defense.
Mission:
To provide innovative propulsion and power solutions that enable space exploration, strategic defense, and security.
Contact:
- Website: https://rocket.com/
- Social Media:
References:
- Wikipedia overview of Aerojet Rocketdyne, including founding, products, and financials
- Company‑Histories profile of Aerojet origins and contributions to U.S. space programs
- L3Harris press releases reporting $4.7B acquisition and segment launch MergerSight Group +2
- Reuters/DefenseOne coverage of post‑acquisition investment and production recovery
- GlobalData/AnnualReports.com overview of business segments and financial metrics
- PitchGrade/KappaSignal analysis of market positioning and competitive landscape
Total Funding: $: US Dollar215.6 million
Key Milestones:
- 1942: Aerojet Engineering Corporation founded by von Kármán and colleagues in Pasadena, CA
- 1950s-1970s: Rocketdyne engines power US space programs (Apollo, Saturn V, Shuttle)
- 2103: Merger of Aerojet with Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne to form Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings
- April 2015: Company renamed to Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.
- 2023: Acquisition by L3Harris Technologies for $4.7B; becomes distinct business segment led by Ross Niebergall
- 2024 Q3–2025: Under L3Harris stewardship, capital spend increased 84%, production up 23.6% – particularly for GMLRS motors amid surging global defense needs
Sector:
Products & Services:
- Liquid Rocket Engines: RS-25 (Space Shuttle & SLS), RL10 (upper-stage for Atlas V/SLS), J‑2, H‑1, F‑1—legacy platforms powering historic missions
- Solid Rocket Motors: High-reliability motors for tactical and strategic missiles, including Javelin and GMLRS systems; key in U.S. defense inventories
- Electric/Hall‑Effect Thrusters: X3 ion thruster (>100 kW hall thruster, record-setting thrust, joint NASA/Air Force project)
- Radioisotope Power Systems (MMRTG): Prime contractor for US Dept. of Energy – powering Mars rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance