ATK's Two Reusable Solid Rocket Boosters Successfully Launched Space Shuttle
Atlantis
Use of ATK's Heritage Solid Rocket Technology in Ares I Paves the Way for
Future Human Space Flight
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems' (NYSE:
ATK) Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRMs) once again performed flawlessly as
they ignited at 2:28 p.m. EST, launching the Space Shuttle Atlantis on its
mission to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) and conduct the
final crew rotation for the shuttle program.
Standing at 149 feet tall and 12 feet in diameter, the two solid rocket
boosters each produced more than 15 million horsepower and 3.3 million pounds
of maximum thrust as they safely launched the crew on their journey to the
ISS. The cases from the two boosters for this mission have collectively flown
on 60 previous shuttle missions.
After the flight, the RSRMs were jettisoned from the orbiter and external tank
by ATK's 16 Booster Separation Motors (BSMs). Each booster has eight BSMs:
four on the forward skirt and four on the aft skirt. The separation motors
propelled the RSRMs to a safe distance from the shuttle orbiter, enabling the
spent boosters to parachute down through the Earth's atmosphere where they
splashed down into the ocean and were recovered for reuse.
"There is always a sense of pride as we demonstrate the reliability and
performance of the solid rocket motors at every launch," said Blake Larson,
ATK Space Systems President. "We are now manufacturing the final motor for the
shuttle program, which makes this a bittersweet time for us; we recognize this
great program is coming to an end, but we know that Ares I will provide the
same reliability with a great increase in crew safety."
Utilizing data from a robust test program and from the recovered shuttle
boosters after each flight has provided ATK and NASA with a wealth of
information and understanding of the performance of human-rated solid rocket
motors. This information enables the company to constantly improve its
techniques and processes to increase the safety and mission reliability that
will carry forward into the Ares I program. The shuttle's four-segment rocket
motor recently served another important role in the Ares I program when it
successfully launched Ares I-X on October 28, providing important data to be
used in finalizing the design of the Ares I launch vehicle.
"The success of Ares I-X directly correlates to the extensive knowledge and
understanding we have gained over the life of the shuttle program," said Mike
Kahn, ATK Space Systems executive vice president. "As we continue ground and
flight tests for the Ares I program, the heritage and reliability gained from
the shuttle program will translate into the safest, most reliable launch
vehicle ever flown."
The remaining shuttle flights will be supported by ATK's rocket motors, while
the second Ares I five-segment first stage motor and updated BSM motors are
being manufactured and prepared for testing. As the replacement for the space
shuttle, the Ares vehicle will support missions to the ISS while enabling U.S.
space exploration for decades to come. ATK is the prime contractor for the
first stage.
ATK is a premier aerospace and defense company with more than 18,000 employees
in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and revenues of approximately
$4.8 billion. News and information can be found on the Internet at
www.atk.com.
Certain information discussed in this press release constitutes
forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Although ATK believes that the expectations reflected in
such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can
give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking
information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Among those
factors are: the strategic, technical, budgeting and scheduling goals of
NASA's Constellation Program, which includes the Ares I program, assumptions
related to the design, safety and performance of the Ares program; changes in
governmental spending, budgetary policies and product sourcing strategies; the
company's competitive environment; the terms and timing of awards and
contracts; and economic conditions. ATK undertakes no obligation to update any
forward-looking statements. For further information on factors that could
impact ATK, and statements contained herein, please refer to ATK's most recent
Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q
and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Media Contact: Investor Contact:
Trina Patterson Jeff Huebschen
Phone: 801-699-0943 Phone: 952-351-2929
E-mail: trina.patterson@atk.com E-mail: jeff.huebschen@atk.com
SOURCE ATK
Media, Trina Patterson, +1-801-699-0943, trina.patterson@atk.com, or
Investors, Jeff Huebschen, +1-952-351-2929, jeff.huebschen@atk.com, both of
ATK
