Rocketdyne Negotiates for Part in SDI Testing

Rocketdyne said it is negotiating a contract to make a modified version of its Peacekeeper missile propulsion system to help test part of the nation’s Strategic Defense Initiative space-defense program.

Rocketdyne, a Canoga Park-based unit of Rockwell International Corp. that also makes the space shuttle engines, said it would use the fourth stage of the Peacekeeper propulsion system for the contract.

In the experiment, the shuttle would deploy Rocketdyne’s product in outer space and its rocket plumes would then be tracked by an SDI satellite. The idea is to test how well the satellite’s sensors can detect and identify another object in space, such as an enemy missile. The experiment is scheduled for August, 1994.

The contract is being negotiated with the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization. Rocketdyne declined to discuss how much the deal might be worth to the company.