Orbital ATK supported the third successful launch this year of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, FL.
This launch also marked the 19th successful flight of Orbital ATK-built retro motors. The Atlas retrorocket is built at Orbital ATK’s Missile Defense and Controls facility in Elkton, MD.
Eight of the motors supported separation of the spent first stage.
Last week’s mission included payloads from the U.S. Air Force’s Space Command program and NASA’s Technology Demonstration Mission program.
“Witnessing yet another successful launch of an Atlas V serves as a reminder of how much Orbital ATK values our partnership with ULA,” said Ron Grabe, president of Orbital ATK’s Flight Systems Group. “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 also produced composite fiber assemblies that were used in the rocket.
The mission included two payloads designed to test alternative forms of space propulsion, including a test vehicle that would use solar wind and a reusable unmanned space vehicle.
