Orbital ATK Supports U.S. Air Force and NASA Technology Demonstration Missions
May 20 2015 - 3:29PM
Business Wire
AFSPC-5 the Third of Eight Atlas V Launches
in 2015
Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies, supported the third successful launch this year of a
United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral,
Florida. Today’s mission included payloads from the U.S. Air
Force’s Space Command program and NASA’s Technology Demonstration
Mission (TDM) program.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
(May 20, 2015) A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket
successfully launched the AFSPC-5 satellite for the U.S. Air Force
at 11:05 a.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-41. This is ULA's
fifth launch in 2015 and the 96th successful launch since the
company was formed in December 2006. Photo: ULA
“Witnessing yet another successful launch of an Atlas V serves
as a reminder of how much Orbital ATK values our partnership with
ULA,” said Ron Grabe, President of Orbital ATK’s Flight Systems
Group. “Our highly engineered composite and control products play
an important role in ensuring dependable access to space and
affordable innovation for our customers.”
For the ULA Atlas V rocket, Orbital ATK produced several large
composite assemblies, including the 10-foot diameter composite heat
shield, which provides higher performance with lower weight and
essential protection for the first stage of the launch vehicle from
engine exhaust temperatures in excess of 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Orbital ATK also produced the Centaur Interstage Adapter (CISA)
that houses the second stage engine, and the boattail that adapts
the core vehicle to the five-meter diameter fairing. These
assemblies were fabricated using advanced fiber placement
manufacturing techniques at Orbital ATK's Iuka, Mississippi
facility. This is the 54th Atlas V launch using Orbital ATK-built
composite structures.
This launch also marked the 19th successful flight of Orbital
ATK-produced retro motors. Eight of these solid motors supported
separation of the spent first stage. The Atlas retrorocket is built
at Orbital ATK’s Missile Defense and Controls facility in Elkton,
Maryland.
Today’s mission included two payloads designed to test
alternative forms of space propulsion. The primary payload was the
U.S. Air Force Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), a reusable unmanned
spacecraft also known as the X-37B. Flying under NASA’s Educational
Launch of Nanosatellites program, the secondary payload flown was a
Planetary Society-sponsored LightSail 2 solar sail test vehicle
designed to use solar wind for its primary propulsion.
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 more than
12,000 people in 20 states across the U.S. and in several
international locations. For more information, visit
www.orbitalatk.com.
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Media Contact:Orbital ATK Aerospace StructuresBryan
Warren, 801-775-1233Sr. Communications
Managerbryan.warren@orbitalatk.comorInvestor Contact:Orbital
ATKBarron Beneski, 703-406-5528Public and Investor
Relationsbarron.beneski@orbitalatk.com
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