Orbital ATK Supports Successful Launch of National Security Satellite
February 11 2016 - 12:30PM
Business Wire
Multiple Orbital ATK Technologies Played
Vital Role in United Launch Alliance First Delta IV Launch of the
Year
Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies, played a vital role in Wednesday’s successful launch
of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket from Vandenberg Air
Force Base, California. The rocket launched a classified satellite,
designated NROL-45, for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
(NRO) in support of a national defense mission. Orbital ATK’s
contributions to the Delta IV include cutting-edge technologies
from across the company. Contributions include two Graphite Epoxy
Motors-60 (GEM-60), large composite structures and the propellant
tank and nozzle for the main engine.
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Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. (Feb.
10, 2016) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket boosted
by two Orbital ATK GEM-60 motors carrying the NROL-45 mission
lifted off from Space Launch Complex 6 at 3:40 a.m. PST. Photo by
United Launch Alliance
“Congratulations to the entire team on the launch of the NROL-45
satellite.” said Scott Lehr, President of Orbital ATK’s Flight
System Group. “Orbital ATK is honored to support the NRO and ULA
with key technologies that enable the launch of critical national
defense satellites.”
Orbital ATK provided two 60-inch diameter Graphite Epoxy Motors
(GEM-60) for the Delta IV rocket. The 53-foot-long solid rocket
boosters burned for 90 seconds and provided more than 560,000
pounds of thrust. Orbital ATK produced the solid rocket motors at
its Magna, Utah facility, where it has manufactured 76 GEM-60s for
the Delta IV launch vehicle since the initial flight in 2002.
Beginning in 2018, Orbital ATK will provide upgraded GEM-60 solid
rocket boosters, designated GEM-63 and GEM-63XL, for ULA’s Atlas V
and new Vulcan launch vehicles, respectively.
Orbital ATK also supplied 14 Delta IV and GEM-60 key composite
structures, which provide lower weight and higher performance. The
largest composite structures are five meters in diameter, range
from one to eight meters in length, and are produced using either
advanced wet winding or hand layup, machining and inspection
techniques at Orbital ATK’s manufacturing facilities in Iuka,
Mississippi, and Clearfield, Utah.
Additionally, Orbital ATK manufactured the propellant tank for
the Delta IV upper stage roll control system at the company’s
Commerce, California, facility, and designed and manufactured the
nozzle for Delta IV’s RS-68A engine at its Promontory, Utah,
facility. Orbital ATK also designed and produced the nozzle’s
thermal protection material, which is capable of shielding the
nozzle from the extreme heat of launch, when external temperatures
can exceed 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
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 12,000 people in 18 states across the U.S. and in
several international locations. For more information, visit
www.orbitalatk.com.
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Orbital ATKMedia Contacts:Hillary Searle,
801-657-9627Propulsion Systems Public
Relationshillary.searle@orbitalatk.comorInvestor
Contact:Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528Public and Investor
Relationsbarron.beneski@orbitalatk.com
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