ATK (NYSE: ATK) solid propulsion and composite
technologies supported yesterday’s successful launch of a Boeing Delta II
rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The launch successfully
placed into orbit the 12th Class IIR satellite for the U.S. Air Force’s
Global Positioning System (GPS IIR-12) constellation. All 24 of the current
GPS satellites were launched with the help of ATK rocket motors.
Augmented thrust for the launch was provided by nine GEM-40 solid propulsion
strap-on boosters manufactured by ATK Thiokol at its facility in Magna,
Utah – continuing a tradition of flight support for Delta II missions that
began in 1990.
Six of the boosters ignited at lift-off with the first-stage main engine.
Less than a minute later, the remaining three boosters ignited to provide
additional thrust. The spent motors were jettisoned from the rocket as it
continued its ascent.
The graphite epoxy cases for the GEM-40 boosters are manufactured by ATK
Composites, Clearfield, Utah. The facility also builds cases for other space
launch vehicles, including Delta, Titan IVB, Pegasus®, and Taurus®.
Following burnout and separation of the GEM-40 boosters and the rocket’s
liquid second stage, a START 48B third-stage rocket motor propelled the GPS
replacement satellite into orbit. A STAR 37FMT apogee kick motor provided
the added velocity to place the satellite into its final inclination and
circular orbit.
ATK Elkton, Elkton, Md., has manufactured every launch vehicle upper stage
and apogee kick motor for the NAVSTAR/GPS constellation dating back to the
original experimental flights in the late 1970s.
ATK is a $2.4 billion advanced weapons and space systems company employing
13,200 people in 21 states.
