ATK (Alliant Techsystems)
composite structures technology supported the July 17th launch of
a Lockheed Martin Atlas V 521 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,
Fla. The launch successfully placed into orbit the Rainbow 1 direct
broadcasting spacecraft for Cablevision’s RLDBS project, which will fly using
two ATK reflectors and one subreflector. Lockheed Martin Space Systems built
the Atlas V and Rainbow 1 satellite at its facilities in Denver, Colo., and
Newtown, Pa., respectively.
ATK Composites, Clearfield, Utah, produced a number of significant
structures for the Atlas V core vehicle using both automated fiber placement
and advanced hand layup manufacturing techniques. These structures include
the 11-foot diameter heat shield assembly surrounding the RD-180 main engine,
the 12.5-foot diameter Centaur Interstage Adapter (CISA), and the 17.5-foot
diameter conical Boattail joining the core vehicle and the payload fairing.
The parts are fabricated at the company’s Utah Composites Center in Clearfield
and Southern Composites Center in Iuka, Miss.
The Rainbow 1 satellite will perform its mission equipped with solar
panels and three of its reflectors built by ATK’s Composite Optics Inc. in San
Diego. The reflectors, some of the largest of their type ever built by ATK,
are fabricated from carbon-fiber composites and range in size up to 132″ x
144″.
“The successful launch and the content onboard the Rainbow 1 satellite
dramatically demonstrate ATK’s rigorous disciplines in quality and process
control and are a tribute to the viability of automated manufacturing
technologies developed by ATK for high-performance applications,” said Jeff
Foote, group vice president, Aerospace. “We are pleased with our record on
the Atlas V program and are dedicated to continued success with launch
vehicles and space platforms.”
The launch was the third 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.
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 .
Certain information discussed in this press release may constitute
forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Although ATK believes that the expectations reflected in
such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can
give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking
information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Among those
factors are: unforeseen delays in NASA’s Space Shuttle program, changes in
governmental spending and budgetary policies, economic conditions, equity
market returns, the company’s competitive environment, the timing of awards
and contracts, the outcome of contingencies, including litigation and
environmental remediation, program performance, and sales projections. ATK
undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For further
information on factors that could impact ATK, and statements contained herein,
reference should be made to ATK’s filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form
8-K and annual reports on Form 10-K.
