On June 28, NASA and Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA) will conduct the second of two qualification ground tests of the five-segment rocket motor that will be used for NASA’s heavy-lift Space Launch System, which will enable new missions of exploration across the solar system.

What: Horizontal ground test firing of QM-2 motor
When: Tuesday, June 28, 8 a.m. MDT
Where: Orbital ATK facility in Promontory, Utah

On Monday, June 27, U.S. media will receive behind-the-scenes access to tour Orbital ATK’s solid rocket motor manufacturing area and have opportunity to interview NASA and Orbital ATK officials. On test day, media will be located adjacent to the VIP test viewing area with a great view of the test firing. There will be additional opportunities for a post-test motor viewing and a press briefing.

Media must apply for credentials: Please contact Kay Anderson (Orbital ATK) at 435-230-2787 or Kim Henry (NASA) at 256-684-6658 to register.

Test Objectives/Background:

· A total of 82 qualification test objectives will be measured through more than 530 instrumentation channels.
· QM-2 is a “chilled motor” test. The motor will be cooled to 40 degrees Fahrenheit to measure solid rocket motor performance at the colder end of its accepted propellant temperature range, as well as to demonstrate the motor meets applicable ballistic requirements.
· Other objectives include data gathering on vital motor upgrades such as the new insulation and liner and the redesigned nozzle, which increase the robustness of the design. Also, data on the Booster Separation Motor structural dynamic response and nozzle vectoring parameters will support analytical verification of the booster design.
· When fired, the motor will produce a maximum thrust of 3.6 million pounds.
· A public viewing area is available along State Road 83 North approximately 20 miles west of Corinne, Utah.

For more information about NASA’s Space Launch System: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/rocket.html

Orbital ATK’s QM-2 test page: http://www.orbitalatk.com/rocket-test/default.aspx