Orbital ATK Successfully Launches Minotaur C Rocket Carrying 10 Spacecraft to Orbit for Planet
October 31 2017 - 9:55PM
Business Wire
Made in California – Spacecraft
Manufacturing, Rocket Integration and Launch
Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA), a global leader in
aerospace and defense technologies, announced its commercial
Minotaur C rocket successfully launched 10 commercial spacecraft
into orbit for Planet. The Minotaur C launched from Vandenberg Air
Force Base, California.
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Orbital ATK’s Minotaur C rocket launched
from Vandenberg Air Force Base October 31, 2017, at 2:37 p.m.
(PDT). Just over 12 minutes later, Planet’s spacecraft began to
deploy into orbit 310 miles above the Earth. (Photo: Business
Wire)
The rocket’s first stage ignited at 2:37 p.m.
(PDT), and just over 12 minutes later, Planet’s six SkySat
spacecraft began to deploy one at a time into their targeted sun
synchronous orbit 310 miles (500 kilometers) above the Earth.
Following deployment of the main satellites, Planet’s four
secondary Dove spacecraft deployed. From this orbit, the Dove and
SkySat network of remote sensing satellites will deliver a global
information feed to businesses, governments and non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) around the world.
“It’s an honor to deliver reliable and
affordable access to space for commercial customers like Planet,”
said Rich Straka, Vice President and General Manager of Orbital
ATK’s Launch Vehicles Division. “Launching small- and medium-class
payloads on dedicated Orbital ATK launch vehicles gives commercial
customers the ability to control their schedules while meeting
challenging mission requirements.”
The Minotaur C rocket is an all-commercial
vehicle capable of launching payloads up to 3,500 lbs. The
configuration that launched today included four solid rocket
commercial motors: CASTOR 120®, Orion 50S XL, Orion 50 XL and Orion
38. Orbital ATK manufactured all four motors at facilities in
Clearfield, Magna and Promontory, Utah. The company manufactured
the avionics, software and separation systems at facilities in
Chandler, Arizona. Integration of the Minotaur C rocket took place
at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Planet’s Dove and SkySat satellites, which are
manufactured in California, are some of the most capable spacecraft
per kilogram ever produced. A record-breaking 275 Dove satellites
have been successfully deployed and operated in space and today
collect more imagery per day than any other fleet of commercial
satellites. The constellation of 13 SkySats is the world’s largest
commercial, sub-meter fleet of high-res satellites operating in
space.
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 U.S. and in several
international locations. For more information, visit
www.orbitalatk.com.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171031006684/en/
Media:Orbital ATKTrina Patterson, 801-699-0943Launch
Vehicles Division
Communicationstrina.patterson@orbitalatk.comorInvestors:Orbital
ATKBarron Beneski, 703-406-5528Public and Investor
Relationsbarron.beneski@orbitalatk.com
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