Irvine-based Parker Bertea Aerospace is getting a...

Irvine-based Parker Bertea Aerospace is getting a lift from the growing commercial rocket business. Parker Bertea recently signed a $1.6-million contract to develop fin controls and rocket engine modules for the Pegasus booster rocket. The Pegasus is a winged rocket designed to be carried aloft in an aircraft and launched at 40,000 feet. The rocket would be used to launch small commercial payloads weighing between 600 and 1,100 pounds. The unusual rocket is being developed by Orbital Sciences Corp. of Arlington, Va., and Hercules Aerospace Co. of Magma, Utah. Parker Bertea, a unit of Cleveland-based Parker Hannifin Corp., is a subcontractor on the project. Pegasus’ first mission is scheduled for July. Although the new contract is relatively small, Parker Bertea hopes its work on the program eventually will generate new business, said Bill Wilbur, program marketing manager. “It’s a milestone program for this kind of vehicle,” Wilbur said. “We think there will be other (winged launch) vehicles like this in the future.”