Minneapolis-based Alliant Techsystems (ATK) picked up a roughly $30 million contract from Lockheed Martin Space Systems to supply A2100 satellite bus structures needed for the GPS 3 satellites Lockheed is building for the U.S. Air Force.
The contract ATK announced April 7 includes fabricating a GPS 3 nonflight satellite testbed structure and the first two GPS 3A satellite bus structures, with the first delivery projected for early 2011. The contract includes options for up to 10 additional satellite bus structures.
ATK has been manufacturing Lockheed’s A2100 bus structure since the satellite model was introduced in 1996 for the company’s commercial satellite customers. The GPS 3A bus structure is made from lightweight, high-strength composite materials.
