Aerojet Rocketdyne wants to buy ULA

[fredinno]

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=38412.60

Apparently negotiations are going behind closed doors right now for the sale of ULA, for 2 billion.

If this occurs, Vulcan will probably be replaced by Atlas VI with AR-1 engines- no idea about the Delta IV though.

This could reduce costs on the long run, by eliminating the "middle man" on one of the most expensive parts of rockets- engines (it would do the same for the SRBs, as Atlas SRBs are made by Areojet Rocketdyne too.

Areojet Rocketdyne is probably doing this to ensure a future in the rocket industry, by buying out a major rocket launch provider (aka more $$)

Boeing and LockMart probably aren't too sure about ULA's future, as they are only funding the Vulcan by quarter, so this deal may actually happen.

What do you guys think?

[Hcube]

I thought ULA was valuated at more than $2B... I find this news surprising... What is Atlas VI exactly ? Would it have the same engine-recovery system as Vulcan would have ?

Is Rocketdyne into the reusable rockets trend ?

[fredinno]

Atlas VI is just short for Atlas V with AR-1 engines.

[Frozen_Heart]

I thought that ULA was worth way more than that, as I'm pretty sure SpaceX is.

It will be interesting how this affects ULA in the future. Will it allow them to be a proper competitor in the launch industry again.