Space

ATK Propulsion Supports the Successful Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery

Mission Will Bring Module to the International Space Station

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems' (NYSE: ATK) Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRM) performed flawlessly today as NASA's Space Shuttle Endeavour launched into orbit carrying an Italian-built U.S. multi-port module for the International Space Station (iSS).

During the first two minutes of flight, the RSRMs provided more than 6 million pounds of thrust, which is equivalent to 24 jumbo jets at full take-off throttle. This lift off thrust helped Discovery take a connecting module that will increase the ISS's interior space.

The crew's mission is to install the Harmony module that will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules. Known in technical circles as Node 2, it is similar to the six-sided Unity module that links the U.S. and Russian sections of the station.

STS-120 is the 120th shuttle flight and the 23nd U.S. flight to the International Space Station. ATK solid rocket motors have flown on each Space Shuttle mission since the inception of the program in 1981, and today are the only human-rated solid rocket motors produced in the U.S.

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/.

Certain information discussed in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although ATK believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Among those factors are: changes in governmental spending, budgetary policies and product sourcing strategies; the company's competitive environment; the terms and timing of awards and contracts; and economic conditions. ATK undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For further information on factors that could impact ATK, and statements contained herein, please refer to ATK's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Media Contact:                            Investor Contact:
  George Torres                             Steve Wold
  Phone:  801-699-2637                      Phone:  952-351-3056
  E-mail:  george.torres@atk.com            E-mail:  steve.wold@atk.com