ATK (Alliant Techsystems) composite structures technology
supported the launch yesterday of a Lockheed Martin Atlas V 400 rocket from
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. that successfully placed into orbit the
Greek Hellas Sat 2 telecommunications satellite.

ATK Composites, Clearfield, Utah, manufactured the 12-foot diameter heat
shield assembly, which surrounds the Atlas V 400 RD-180 main engine. The
company also manufactures the composite Centaur interstage adapter and
boattail, which are components on the Atlas V 500 rocket scheduled to fly for
the first time this summer. The parts are fabricated at the company’s Utah
Composites Center in Clearfield and Southern Composites Center in Iuka, Miss.

The Hellas Sat 2 satellite will provide voice, Internet, video, and
broadcast services to European and Balkan markets. It also will be used to
broadcast the 2004 Summer Olympic Games from Athens.

Yesterday’s launch was the second mission for the Atlas V rocket, the
largest and most powerful member of the Atlas family of launch vehicles.
Lockheed Martin developed the Atlas V to meet the needs of the U.S. Air
Force’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program and the growing needs
of the company’s joint venture, International Launch Services (ILS), for its
commercial and government satellite customers throughout the world.

Known for its unique capabilities in large structures manufacturing, ATK
Composites has revolutionized the composites industry through 40 years of
innovation and manufacturing excellence. The company is the largest producer
of filament-wound and fiber-placed structures in the U.S. Its products are
used on space launch vehicles, satellites, spacecraft, and commercial and
military aircraft.

ATK is a $2.2 billion aerospace and defense company with strong positions
in propulsion, composite structures, munitions, precision capabilities, and
civil and sporting ammunition. The company, which is headquartered in Edina,
Minn., employs approximately 12,000 people and has three business groups:
Aerospace, Precision Systems, and Ammunition and Related Products. ATK news
and information can be found at www.atk.com .