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ATK Motors Perform Flawlessly in Launch of Minotaur Rocket

Classified Air Force Research Satellite Placed Successfully in Orbit

Sep 23, 2005

Minneapolis, September 23, 2005 – Two Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) Orion motors performed flawlessly in yesterday’s successful launch of an Orbital Sciences Corporation Minotaur launch vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The launch placed a classified Air Force research satellite known as STP-R1 in orbit. The mission is part of the Space Test Program (STP) — a component of the Department of Defense research and development program.

ATK supplied the Orion 50XL and Orion 38 motors that served as Minotaur’s third and fourth stages, respectively. In addition to being used on Minotaur space launch vehicles that Orbital produces under the U.S. Air Force’s Orbital/Suborbital program, Orion motors are used on the highly successful, air-launched Pegasus vehicle.

ATK is a $3.1 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 14,500 people in 23 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.