ATK and NASA to Perform Final Ground Test for the Space Shuttle Program

Test will Ensure Safety for Four Remaining Shuttle Flights

Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) and NASA will conduct the last ground test for the Space Shuttle program on February 25, marking the closure of a program that has spanned more than three decades and ushering in the era of the next generation of space exploration.

What: Horizontal ground test firing of a four-segment solid rocket motor

When: Thursday, February 25, 2010

Time: 11:55 a.m. MST

Where: ATK Space Systems facility in Promontory, Utah

Test Objectives/Background:

* A total of 43 design objectives will be measured through 258 instrument channels
* This final test will be the 52nd test conducted for NASA’s Space Shuttle Program
* The ground test will be conducted to ensure the safe fly-out of the remaining four missions
* The first test was conducted on July 18, 1977
* The cases have previously flown on the space shuttle, collectively launching 38 missions