Orbital ATK Satellite and Launch Vehicle Technologies Play Vital Role in Air Force Mission
August 19 2016 - 10:45AM
Business Wire
Two Orbital ATK-Built Satellites Will Track
In-Orbit Man-Made Objects for AFSPC-6 Mission
Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies, announced today that two satellites the company
designed, built and tested for the U.S. Air Force were successfully
deployed following their launch aboard a United Launch Alliance
(ULA) Delta IV rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,
Florida, on August 19, 2016. The satellites were the third and
fourth for the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program
(GSSAP) and comprise Air Force Space Command Mission Number Six, or
AFSPC-6. In addition to the company-built satellites that were
deployed, Orbital ATK also provided propulsion, key composite
structures and other components on the Delta IV launch vehicle.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
(Aug. 19, 2016) - A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket
carrying AFSPC-6 mission lifts off from Space Launch Complex-37 at
12:52 a.m. EDT. Photo by United Launch Alliance
The Orbital ATK-built satellites will operate in
near-geosynchronous orbit and collect Space Situational Awareness
(SSA) data for more accurate tracking and characterization of
man-made objects in Earth orbit. The goal of the program is to
enhance the country’s knowledge of the geosynchronous orbit
environment for more timely and accurate orbit predictions to
improve space flight safety.
“This launch marks the deployment of the second set of
satellites we have designed and built for the U.S. Air Force GSSAP
program. Enhancing space situational awareness is a top priority
for the Air Force Space Command, and once again we provided
innovative, reliable and affordable products to support this vital
mission,” said Christopher Long, Orbital ATK’s Vice President of
National Security Systems. “Our industry leading satellite systems
based on flight proven GEOStar, LEOStar, Cygnus and ESPAStar
platforms are helping to reshape the boundaries of National
Security Space and Civil Space.”
The first two GSSAP satellites built by Orbital ATK were
launched July 28, 2014 on AFSPC-4, which included the Air Force
Research Laboratory’s Automated Navigation and Guidance Experiment
for Local Space (ANGELS) satellite, deployed from the AFSPC-4, EELV
Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA). Orbital ATK was the project’s
prime contractor responsible for overall system design and
development.
Orbital ATK designed, manufactured, integrated and tested the
GSSAP satellites at its state-of-the art manufacturing facility in
Dulles, Virginia. The company’s facilities in Dulles, along with
Goleta and San Diego, California, and Beltsville, Maryland provided
numerous subsystems, including the satellite’s solar arrays, heat
pipes, avionic boxes, flight computer, shunt regulator assembly,
composite components and deployable structures.
Orbital ATK also made major contributions to the Delta IV launch
vehicle, including the two 60-inch diameter Graphite Epoxy Motors
(GEM-60) produced at its Magna, Utah, facility, where it has
manufactured 82 GEM-60s for the Delta IV launch vehicle since the
initial flight in 2002. In addition, Orbital ATK supplied 11 key
composite structures for the Delta IV rocket and GEM-60 motors that
were manufactured at its 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 Contact:Kristen Basham (240)
623-6778Space Systems Public
Relationskristen.basham@orbitalatk.comorInvestor
Contact:Barron Beneski (703) 406-5528Public and Investor
Relationsbarron.beneski@orbitalatk.com
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