Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, played an integral role in the successful launch for Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) Commercial Launch Services of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida on December 18, and the on-orbit operation of the EchoStar XIX (NASDAQ: SATS) broadband satellite. The satellite is the world’s highest capacity broadband satellite, dramatically increasing capacity for HughesNet® high-speed satellite Internet service in North America.
Orbital ATK’s contributions to the Atlas V and EchoStar satellite include cutting-edge technologies from across the company. Specifically, Orbital ATK provided a large composite structure, retro motors for the rocket, and critical components on the satellite.
“It is great to see another successful Atlas V launch supported by a range of Orbital ATK products,” said Steve Earl, Vice President and General Manager of Orbital ATK’s Aerospace Structures Division. “Our team’s collective dedication and execution excellence help deliver increased capability to broadband satellite users here in North America.”
For the Atlas V, Orbital ATK produced the 10-foot diameter composite heat shield, which provides essential protection for the first stage of the launch vehicle. The assembly was fabricated using advanced fiber placement manufacturing techniques at the company’s Iuka, Mississippi, facility. This is the 67th Atlas V launch using Orbital ATK-built composite structures.
This flight also marked the 33rd consecutive successful flight of the Orbital ATK retro motors. Eight of these solid motors supported separation of the spent first stage. The Atlas V retrorocket is built by Orbital ATK’s Defense Systems Group at its facility in Elkton, Maryland. Orbital ATK manufactured the Reaction Control System propellant tank for the Atlas V at its Commerce, California, facility.
For the EchoStar XIX satellite, Orbital ATK designed and manufactured fuel and oxidizer tanks its Commerce facility. These tanks utilize the company’s proprietary propellant management device technologies.
About Orbital ATK
Orbital ATK is a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies. The company designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation systems for customers around the world, both as a prime contractor and merchant supplier. Its main products include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced aerospace structures. Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK employs approximately 12,000 people in 18 states across the U.S. and in several international locations. For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com.
