Orbital ATK Supports Launch of ULA’s Delta II Rocket
November 20 2017 - 8:30AM
Business Wire
Nine Orbital ATK Solid Rocket Motors Help
Boost JPSS-1 to Orbit
Orbital ATK (NYSE:OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies, contributed to the successful launch of a United
Launch Alliance Delta II rocket as it lifted off Saturday from
Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, carrying the first Joint
Polar Satellite System (JPSS-1) spacecraft. Orbital ATK’s
contributions to the Delta II include nine Graphite Epoxy Motors
(GEM 40) and a large composite fairing for the rocket. This event
marks the penultimate launch of the Delta II rocket. It is also the
last launch to use nine GEM 40 motors.
“As the Delta II program nears its retirement, more than 1,020
GEM 40 strap-on boosters have helped launch 153 Delta II missions,”
said Charlie Precourt, Vice President and General Manager of
Orbital ATK’s Propulsion Systems Division. “We’d be nostalgic if
not for the significant progress we’re already making on the new
generation GEM 63 motor that will support Atlas V and future launch
vehicles.”
The nine GEM 40 motors used today, which is the maximum number
for the Delta II design, provided an additional 1.3 million pounds
of maximum thrust to boost ULA’s Delta II launch vehicle on its
successful mission. Orbital ATK manufactured the motors’ composite
cases in Clearfield, Utah, and the motors themselves in Magna,
Utah.
In addition to the GEM 40 motors, Orbital ATK manufactured the
composite 10-foot diameter payload fairing, which encapsulates and
protects the payload, at its facility in Iuka, Mississippi. Orbital
ATK also designed and built the launch vehicle’s second stage
helium and nitrogen pressurization bottles at its facility in
Commerce, California.
For the JPSS-1 spacecraft, Orbital ATK manufactured the
diaphragm propellant tank at its Commerce facility. The company
also designed and produced heat pipes for two instruments aboard
the satellite at its facilities in Beltsville, Maryland.
The Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) is a collaborative
venture between NASA and NOAA. It will monitor existing
environmental conditions such as temperature, vegetation, snow and
ice cover, and ozone. JPSS will also enable forecasters to more
accurately predict severe weather patterns and storm systems.
JPSS-1 will be renamed NOAA-20 after it successfully reaches orbit.
Orbital ATK’s Space Systems Group is now designing and building the
JPSS-2 spacecraft with options to build JPSS-3 and -4 spacecraft in
the future.
About Orbital ATK
Orbital ATK is a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies. The company designs, builds and delivers space,
defense and aviation systems for customers around the world, both
as a prime contractor and merchant supplier. Its main products
include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile
products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons,
armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space
components and services; and advanced aerospace structures.
Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK employs
approximately 13,000 people across the United States and in several
international locations. For more information, visit
www.orbitalatk.com.
View source
version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171120005353/en/
Media:Orbital ATKHillary Searle, 801-251-4606Propulsion
Systems Public
Relationshillary.searle@orbitalatk.comorInvestors:Orbital
ATKBarron Beneski, 703-406-5528Public and Investor
Relationsbarron.beneski@orbitalatk.com
Orbital Atk, Inc. (delisted) (NYSE:OA)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Orbital Atk, Inc. (delisted) (NYSE:OA)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024