Orbital ATK Supports U.S. Security Mission For The National Reconnaissance Office
Orbital ATK, Inc. (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, supported today’s successful launch of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The rocket launched a classified satellite, designated NROL-61, for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office in support of a national security mission. Orbital ATK provided advanced hardware from across multiple divisions to both the ULA Atlas V launch vehicle and the NRO payload.
“Witnessing yet another successful launch of an Atlas V serves as a reminder of how much Orbital ATK values our partnerships with ULA,” said Steve Earl, Vice President and General Manager of Orbital ATK’s Aerospace Structures Division. “Our highly engineered composite and control products play an important role in ensuring dependable access to space and affordable innovation for our customers.”
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 63rd Atlas V launch using Orbital ATK-built composite structures.
This flight also marked the 29th 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 ULA Atlas V at its Commerce, California, facility. The ULA Atlas V rocket flew in the 421 vehicle configuration.
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
