Rocketplane Kistler and ATK Announce Agreement for K-1 Launch Vehicle and COTS Program
ATK Will Lead Vehicle Development, Vehicle Assembly, Integration and Test, and Launch and Landing Site Operations
Rocketplane Kistler (RpK) and Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced today that ATK will become the lead contractor for RpK’s K-1 launch vehicle, which was recently awarded a Space Act Agreement by NASA for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. The K-1 is a fully reusable space transportation system designed to provide cost-effective and reliable transport of cargo and science payloads to and from the International Space Station (ISS).
Under terms of the agreement, ATK will provide launch vehicle development, assembly, integration and test of the launch system, and will conduct launch and landing site development and launch vehicle preparation for the K-1. ATK will also develop and produce critical composite structures and subsystems for the pressurized and unpressurized K-1 cargo modules, and conduct vehicle recovery and refurbishment.
“ATK is a great partner with demonstrated experience and skills that strengthen our team,” said Randy Brinkley, RpK President. “We look forward to the capabilities this partnership will contribute to the K-1 vehicle, and also the COTS program.”
“We look forward to helping RpK develop this new launch capability,” said Ron Dittemore, President, ATK Launch Systems Group. “A tenet of the Space Policy encourages entrepreneurial efforts to develop commercial access to space, and it is our intention to help RpK achieve this objective.”
ATK is a $3.4 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 15,000 people in 22 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com .
Rocketplane Kistler brings together two industry-leading makers and future operators of the next-generation orbital and suborbital space transportation vehicles. RpK was formed when Kistler Aerospace Corporation and Rocketplane Limited, Inc. were brought under common ownership. RpK markets the services of the fully reusable, two-stage Kistler K-1 space transportation system and the fully reusable, suborbital Rocketplane XP space plane, both of which will be first to fly in their respective markets. More information can be found at http://www.rocketplanekistler.com .
Forward-Looking Statement
Some of the statements contained in this press release may be considered “forward-looking statements” under the federal securities laws. Forward- looking statements include, but are not limited to statements regarding the timing and likelihood of closing. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, our ability to complete regulatory review, achieve contemplated financial outcomes, and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the team member’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
