Orbital ATK Conducts Test of Antares First Stage
May 31 2016 - 7:25PM
Business Wire
Initial Data Points to Successful “Hot Fire”
of Upgraded First Stage and New Propulsion System
Company on Track for July Launch of OA-5 CRS
Mission to the International Space Station from NASA’s Wallops
Flight Facility
Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies, today announced it conducted a full-power "hot fire"
test of the upgraded first stage propulsion system of its Antares
medium-class rocket using new RD-181 main engines. The 30-second
test took place at 5:30 p.m. (EDT) on May 31, 2016 at Virginia
Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad 0A. Initial
indications are that the test was fully successful. The Antares
engineering team will review test data over the next several days
to confirm that all test parameters were met. Assuming the success
of the test is confirmed, it will clear the way for the resumption
of Orbital ATK’s cargo logistics missions to the International
Space Station (ISS) from Wallops Island, Virginia, currently
scheduled for July.
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Orbital ATK conducted a full-power "hot
fire" test of the upgraded first stage propulsion system of its
Antares medium-class rocket using new RD-181 main engines today at
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. Preliminary data points to a
successful test with final results pending a full review. (Photo:
Business Wire)
“Early indications show the upgraded propulsion system, core
stage and launch complex all worked together as planned,” said Mike
Pinkston, Orbital ATK General Manager and Vice President, Antares
Program. “Congratulations to the combined NASA, Orbital ATK and
Virginia Space team on what appears to be a successful test.”
The primary goal of the test was to verify the functionality of
the integrated first stage, including new engines, modified Stage 1
core, avionics, thrust vector control and pad fueling systems in an
operational environment.
During the test, a number of operational milestones were met
including full propellant loading sequence, launch countdown and
engine ignition and shut down commands, as well as multiple
throttle settings including full engine power. The test also
validated the launch pad’s operation, including propellant tanking
and the use of the water deluge system to protect the pad from
damage and for noise suppression.
Orbital ATK will now purge and clean the engines of residual
propellants and return the first stage used in this test to the
Horizontal Integration Facility for full reconditioning prior to
its use on the OA-7 mission slated for later this year. The Orbital
ATK team will continue to prepare the Antares rocket that will
launch the OA-5 mission, which is in the final stages of
integration, systems testing and check-out in preparation for
launch this summer.
Each of the new flight RD-181 engines has undergone hot fire
acceptance testing at the manufacturer’s facility prior to being
shipped to Orbital ATK. A certification test series was
successfully completed in the spring of 2015 where a single engine
was test fired seven times, accumulating 1,650 seconds of test time
and replicating the Antares flight profile, before being
disassembled for inspection.
“The successful stage test, along with the extensive testing of
each new RD-181, gives us further confidence in the first stage
propulsion and in moving forward to launch,” said Pinkston. “We are
now focused on the OA-5 mission and launching the enhanced Cygnus
spacecraft to the International Space Station on our upgraded,
higher-performing Antares rocket.”
The enhanced Cygnus recently flew on the successful OA-4 and
OA-6 missions, launched in December and March, respectively. The
spacecraft has several new features, including larger cargo
capacity, the use of Orbital ATK’s lightweight UltraFlexTM solar
arrays, a mass optimized service module structure and a lighter
weight propulsion system. Cygnus, like most Orbital ATK spacecraft,
is compatible with multiple launch vehicles, enabling the recent
use of United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V launch vehicle. The OA-5
mission will be the first Antares mission to launch the enhanced
Cygnus.
Orbital ATK has successfully completed five cargo delivery
missions to the ISS, including a demonstration mission in 2013 and
four operational missions under the CRS-1 contract from 2014 to
present. In total, the company has delivered 24,000 pounds (10,900
kilograms) of essential equipment and supplies in support of ISS
crew and operations.
Under the CRS contract with NASA, Orbital ATK will deliver
approximately 62,000 pounds (28,000 kilograms) of cargo to the ISS
over 11 missions through 2018. The partnership is changing the way
NASA does business, helping build a strong American commercial
space industry and freeing the agency to focus on developing the
next-generation rocket and spacecraft that will enable humans to
travel farther in space than ever before. Orbital ATK is also on
contract for six initial missions for the follow-on CRS-2
program.
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 Contact:Trina Helquist,
480-814-6504Launch Vehicles
Divisiontrina.helquist@orbitalatk.comorInvestor
Contact:Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528Public and Investor
Relationsbarron.beneski@orbitalatk.com
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