ATK (NYSE: ATK) today conducted a third successful ground test of the next-generation solid rocket motor. The successful test, known as Development Motor (DM-3), is an important milestone in further validating the rocket’s potential use in heavy lift and commercial launch vehicles.
Initial test data indicate the motor performed as designed, producing approximately 3.6 million pounds of thrust, or 22 million horsepower, and burning for just over two minutes.
“This test is the third in a critical series of static tests to evolve and confirm the motor configuration while providing applicable technology maturation for next-generation systems,” said Charlie Precourt, vice president and general manager, ATK Aerospace Systems, Space Launch Systems. “This milestoneis another step towards completing our Critical Design Technical Interchange activity this fall.”
The main test objectives from today’s static motor firing were measuring the five-segment rocket’s performance and verifying the performance of new materials in the motor joints at hot temperatures. Intentional flaws were introduced in the joint to allow hot gas to penetrate into part of the robust joint to verify joint performance.
DM-3 is the largest human-rated solid rocket motor built today, measuring 12 feet in diameter and 154 feet in length. The five-segment motor is based on the Space Shuttle’s four-segment boosters, but it has been upgraded to incorporate modern technologies and materials that were not used on the shuttle booster. As a result it produces 30 percent more power than the four-segment motor while utilizing new materials that provide cost and weight savings.
Along with the motor development, ATK has been consolidating its facilities, workforce, and processes to further reduce the cost of producing the solid rocket motors. The five-segment motor was designed to maximize astronaut safety while providing the United States with an affordable and reliable launch capability for both crew and cargo missions.
“The data from these tests, along with information we have collected over the past three decades, confirms this is the most powerful solid rocket motor ever designed,” said Precourt. “This performance makes the five-segment a great solution for heavy lift launch vehicles.”
ATK is an aerospace, defense, and commercial products company with operations in 22 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally, and revenues of approximately $4.8 billion. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.
Forward-looking Statement
Certain information discussed in this press release constitutes 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: the challenges of developing new launch vehicles; changes in governmental spending, budgetary policies and product sourcing strategies; the company’s competitive environment; the terms and timing of awards and contracts; and economic conditions. ATK undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For further information on factors that could impact ATK, and statements contained herein, please refer to ATK’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
