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ATK Solid Propulsion and Composite Technology Supports Successful Launch Of Pegasus XL Rocket

Jan 27, 2003

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Solid propulsion Orion rocket motors produced by ATK (Alliant Techsystems) (NYSE:ATK) helped launch an Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE:ORB) Pegasus(R) XL vehicle on Jan. 25 that placed into orbit a NASA solar research satellite.

ATK Thiokol Propulsion, Promontory, Utah, manufactures the Orion motors at its production facility in Magna, Utah. The motors, which provide power for all three stages of the air-launched Pegasus XL rocket, have flown on the vehicle since its first mission in 1990.

The composite payload fairing, filament-wound solid rocket motor cases, and interstage, which form the Pegasus vehicle's main structure, are produced by ATK Composites, Clearfield, Utah.

The Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) satellite launched by the Pegasus rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. carries four instruments to study and measure solar irradiance, the main source of energy in the Earth's atmosphere. The measurements provided by the satellite will address long-term climate change, natural variability and enhanced climate prediction, and atmospheric ozone and UV-B radiation.

Since its maiden flight in 1990, Orbital's Pegasus rocket has conducted 32 missions and launched more than 70 satellites -- becoming the world's standard for affordable and reliable small launch vehicles. An Orbital L-1011 aircraft carries the rocket to approximately 40,000 feet over the ocean, where it is released in a horizontal position before igniting its first-stage Orion motor. The composite payload fairing separates approximately 110 seconds into flight, following second-stage ignition. Approximately ten minutes into the flight, the third-stage Orion motor completes its burn, thrusting the satellite payload into orbit.

ATK Thiokol Propulsion is the world's leading supplier of solid-propellant rocket motors. Products manufactured by the company include propulsion systems for the Delta, Pegasus, Taurus(R), Athena, Atlas, H-IIA, and Titan IV B expendable space launch vehicles, NASA's Space Shuttle, the Trident II Fleet Ballistic Missile and the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, and ground-based missile defense interceptors.

ATK Composites -- the largest producer of filament-wound and fiber-placed structures in the U.S. -- has revolutionized the composites industry through 40 years of innovation and manufacturing excellence. The company produces structures for space launch vehicles, satellites, spacecraft, and commercial and military aircraft.

ATK is a $2.1 billion aerospace and defense company with leading positions in propulsion, composite structures, munitions, and precision capabilities. The company, which is headquartered in Edina, Minn., employs approximately 12,000 people and has three business groups: Aerospace, Precision Systems, and Ammunition. ATK news and information can be found at http://www.atk.com/
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Source: Alliant Techsystems

CONTACT: Media, Rod Bitz, +1-952-351-3063, rod_bitz@atk.com, or
Investors, Steve Wold, +1-952-351-3056, steve_wold@atk.com, both of Alliant Techsystems