ATK/U.S. Air Force Partner in Space-Based Radio Navigation System
Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) solid propulsion technology supported yesterday’s successful launch of a Boeing Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The launch successfully placed the second NAVSTAR Block 2R military navigation satellite into orbit for the U.S. Air Force’s Global Positioning System constellation.
Nine GEM-40 solid propulsion strap-on boosters manufactured by ATK Launch Systems provided augmented thrust for the launch. Six of the boosters ignited at lift-off with the first-stage main engine and provided over 850,000-lbf maximum thrust for the launch vehicle. Just over one minute later, the remaining three boosters ignited to provide an additional 450,000-lbf maximum thrust. The spent motors were jettisoned from the rocket as it continued its ascent.
Following burnout and separation of the GEM-40 boosters and the rocket’s liquid second stage, an ATK-produced STAR(TM) 48B third-stage rocket motor delivered the 2,400-lb GPS satellite to its orbit approximately 11,000 nautical miles above the Earth.
ATK is a $3.4-billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 15,000 people in 22 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com .
