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ATK Powers Successful Launch of Pegasus Rocket and OrbView-3 Earth-Imaging Satellite

Jun 27, 2003

MINNEAPOLIS, June 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ATK (Alliant Techsystems) (NYSE:ATK) solid propulsion and composite technologies supported the successful launch yesterday of an Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE:ORB) air-launched Pegasus(R) rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The Pegasus XL carried the OrbView-3 Earth-imaging satellite into space.

ATK's Orion solid propulsion motors provided power for all three stages of the air-launch vehicle. The motors, which have flown on all Pegasus rockets since its first mission in 1990, are manufactured in Magna, Utah. The composite payload fairing, filament-wound solid rocket motor cases, and the interstage that form the Pegasus vehicle's main structure were produced by ATK in Clearfield, Utah, while the composite bus structure of the satellite payload was fabricated at ATK's San Diego facility.

"ATK's significant contribution to commercial, military and scientific space exploration is a source of great pride to the company and we are pleased with yet another successful launch involving our proven propulsion and composite structures technology," said Jeff Foote, group vice president, Aerospace.

The OrbView-3 satellite will supply high-resolution optical imagery of the Earth with its onboard camera that will take one-meter resolution black-and- white images and four-meter resolution color images of the entire planet.

Since its maiden flight in 1990, Orbital's Pegasus rocket has conducted 34 missions and launched more than 70 satellites -- becoming the world's standard for affordable and reliable small launch vehicles. Yesterday's launch was the 20th consecutive successful Pegasus mission carried out since 1997.

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, placing the satellite payload into orbit.

ATK is the world's leading supplier of solid-propellant rocket motors. Products include propulsion systems for the Delta, Pegasus, Taurus(R), Atlas, H-IIA, and Titan IV 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.

Known for its unique capabilities in large structures manufacturing, ATK 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 $2.2 billion aerospace and defense company with strong positions in propulsion, composite structures, munitions, precision capabilities, and civil and sporting ammunition. 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/
.

Source: ATK

CONTACT: Media, Bryce Hallowell, +1-952-351-3087,
bryce.hallowell@atk.com, or Investors, Steve Wold, +1-952-351-3056,
steve_wold@atk.com, both of ATK