SMART-1 Engine R & D Heating Up

API, Inc. has entered into an agreement with Howmet Castings , an ALCOA company, of La Porte, IN to cast new generation turbine wheels for the SMART-1 powerplants. The new turbine wheels offer a 40% increase in strength and higher temperature ranges which API hopes will translate into higher thrust, greater reliability and better speed performance for the SMART-1s.