ATK (NYSE: ATK) composite technology supported the successful August 30 launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The ULA Atlas V rocket launched the Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) mission for NASA. RBSP is designed to help understand the Sun’s influence on Earth and Near-Earth space by studying the Earth’s radiation belts on various scales of space and time. The rocket flew in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing and a single-engine Centaur upper stage, with no solid rocket boosters.
Using advanced fiber placement manufacturing techniques, ATK produced the 10-foot diameter composite heat shield that provides essential protection for the first stage of the launch vehicle, fabricated by ATK at its Clearfield, Utah, facility. This is the 32nd Atlas V launch using ATK-built composite structures.
ATK is an aerospace, defense, and commercial products company with operations in 21 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.
