Contact: Douglas Graham XCOR Aerospace Phone (661) 824-4714 x138 Fax (661) 824-0866 email

Press Release

Developing Nontoxic Propulsion Alternatives for NASA

Relevant to CEV engine development is the XR4K5 engine (above) and the 3M9 LOX/methane engine.

Mojave, CA May 09, 2006 – XCOR Aerospace announced today that it had won a $3.3 million contract with ATK as part of ATK’s contract to develop low-cost LOX/methane rocket propulsion for NASA.

Together with ATK, XCOR will develop the initial workhorse version of a 7,500 lbf LOX/methane engine for NASA’s Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). ATK will use the workhorse engine as a basis for development of the final flight-weight hardware. These engines are being designed to return the CEV from Lunar orbit to the Earth, and to perform in-space maneuvering.

Said XCOR’s president, Jeff Greason, “We are very excited about the opportunity to contribute to NASA’s exploration program in such a significant way. We are proud that NASA selected our team over many more traditional rocket engine suppliers.”

XCOR Ceo Jeff Greason looks over the XCOR 3M9 LOX-methane engine, completed for a previous contract.

Since its inception in 1999, XCOR has designed, built, and tested several different rocket engines, including a 50 lbf LOX/methane engine and an 1,800 lbf LOX/hydrocarbon engine which are highly relevant to this program. Under DARPA sponsorship, XCOR also designed a 10,000 lbf LOX/methane engine which will form the basis for the design of the NASA CEV LOX/methane engine.

ATK is a $3.3 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 15,000 people in 23 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.

XCOR Aerospace is a California corporation located in Mojave, California. The company is in the business of developing and producing safe, reliable and reusable rocket engines, rocket propulsion systems, and rocket powered vehicles.

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