United Launch Alliance joins Blue Origin in rocket engine development

CENTENNIAL, Colo., Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Development of a rocket engine by Blue Origin is to be jointly funded by United Launch Alliance, producer of the Atlas and Delta rocket systems.

ULA said Blue Origin's BE-4 rocket engine is a liquid oxygen, liquified natural gas system that delivers 550,000-lbf of thrust at sea level.

Two BE-4s will power each ULA rocket booster, providing 1,100,000-lbf thrust at liftoff.

"This agreement ensures ULA will remain the most cost-efficient, innovative and reliable company launching the nation's most important national security, civil, human and commercial missions," said Tory Bruno, president and chief executive officer of ULA.

"Blue Origin has demonstrated its ability to develop high-performance rocket engines and we are excited to bring together the best minds in rocket science, supply chain management and commercial business practices to create an all-new affordable, reliable, American rocket engine that will create endless possibilities for the future of space launch."

Blue Origin is a privately owned company. It has been developing the BE-4 for nearly three years.

Under the agreement between the two companies, development will continue for four years. Full flight testing will in 2016.