World’s Largest Rocket Stage Recovery Parachute Test is Successful

Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK), and United Space Alliance (USA) successfully conducted the first in
a series of six main parachute drop tests in the development of the deceleration system for the first
stage of NASA’s Ares I crew launch vehicle on Sept. 25 at the Army Yuma Proving Grounds.

The parachute test was conducted by extracting a 42,000 pound weighted test unit at an altitude of
17,500 feet from a C-17 aircraft. The test unit was allowed to accelerate to a pre-determined
velocity at which time the 150 ft. diameter main parachute was deployed. Initial data indicates all
of the test objectives were met.

“The test went flawlessly and met our initial expectations,” said Mike Kahn, ATK vice president of
Space Launch Systems. “We have a great team of individuals and subcontractors who helped ensure the
success of this important test and bring us closer to full development of this new five-segment
booster.”

The one-ton, 150-foot-diameter Ares main parachute is the largest parachute of this type in use
today. The parachute was designed and manufactured by USA at the Kennedy Space Center, under a
subcontract to Alliant Techsystems, the Ares I First Stage prime contractor. The chute is derived
from the 136-foot main parachute currently used on the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB),
which splash down into the Atlantic Ocean after each shuttle launch.

“Taking the knowledge and experience we’ve gained from our work on the Space Shuttle Program and
applying it to the next generation of rockets for the Constellation Program is very exciting,” said
Dan Mann, USA’s Ares Stage I Program Manager

The Ares I rocket is one in a family of vehicles NASA is developing to return humans to the moon in
the next decade. Ares I and the Orion crew exploration vehicle will become America’s primary space
transportation system after the space shuttle is retired in 2010. Ares I first stage is comprised of
a five segment reusable booster developed from the twin four segment boosters used to launch the
Shuttle.

Due to the added weight of the extra segment, and the higher apogee reached by the Ares booster, the
current parachute system needed to be upgraded to enable booster for reuse. Similar to the Space
Shuttle SRBs, the Ares first stage recovery system will consist of a cluster of three main parachutes
deployed simultaneously during re-entry to Earth atmosphere prior to splash down in the ocean.
To date three drop tests of the pilot parachute have been conducted with two more scheduled for the
future. The next main parachute drop is currently scheduled for November. During first test flight,
Ares 1-X, which is a full-scale launch vehicle with inert upper stage, the new parachute system will
be used operationally. Ares 1-X is schedule to launch in April 2009.

About the companies

ATK Launch Systems Group provides innovative and cost-effective launch systems solutions to a broad
range of customers. The Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of rocket motor systems for
human-rated and unmanned space launch vehicles, strategic missiles, and missile defense interceptors.
It serves both commercial and government customers, including prime contractors, NASA, the U.S. Air
Force, U.S. Navy, U. S. Army and U.S. Missile Defense Agency.

ATK is a $4 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 16,500 people
in 21 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com

United Space Alliance is a world leader in space operations with extensive experience in virtually
all aspects of the field. Headquartered in Houston and employing 10,000 people in Texas, Florida and
Alabama, USA is applying its broad range of capabilities to NASA’s Space Shuttle, International Space
Station and Constellation programs as well as to space operations customers in the commercial and
international space industry sectors.