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NASA and Orion Industry Team Successfully Test Orion Launch Abort System Attitude Control Motor Thruster System

Apr 01, 2009

Ground Test of Sub-scale Orion Attitude Control Motor Reaffirms Critical Design Features

ELKTON, Md., April 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) , NASA, and industry partners Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) and Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE:ORB) have successfully performed a ground test firing of a sub-scale attitude control motor thruster system for the launch abort system (LAS) of NASA's Orion crew exploration vehicle (CEV). The test was conducted at ATK's facility in Elkton, Md. This milestone in the development of the Orion spacecraft brings the Constellation program another step closer to flight-ready status, while demonstrating its commitment to improved flight safety for astronauts.

This demonstration, High Thrust-8 (HT-8), was the fifth in a series of ground tests of Orion's attitude control motor system and provided validation that several flight-weight subsystems are performing as designed. The final tests will be of increasing complexity in preparation for the Pad Abort-1 Flight Test, which will test the launch abort system's capabilities using a full-scale crew module mockup.

Orion's attitude control motor will provide steering for the launch abort system. In combination with the abort motor under development by ATK, it is designed to safely lift and steer the Orion crew module away from the launch vehicle, pulling the crew to safety in the event of an emergency on the launch pad or during the initial ascent phase.

The attitude control motor consists of a solid propellant gas generator, with eight proportional valves/nozzles equally spaced around the circumference of the 3 foot diameter motor. In combination, the valves can exert up to 7,000 pounds of steering force to the vehicle in any direction upon command from the crew module. The valves are controlled by a redundant power and control system. This test demonstrated one of the flight-weight valves at full thrust and at maximum stressing load.

ATK is responsible for the attitude control motor through a contract to Orbital Sciences Corporation, who is responsible for delivering the LAS motors for Lockheed Martin - NASA's prime contractor for Orion. The Orion Project is managed out of NASA's Johnson Space Center. The launch abort system is managed out of NASA's Langley Research Center in partnership with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.

The Orion crew exploration vehicle sits atop the Ares I crew launch vehicle. The Orion features an advanced capsule design with state-of-the-art technology that will transport humans to and from the International Space Station, the moon and other destinations beyond low-Earth orbit.

The next major milestone is the Pad Abort-1 Flight Test, scheduled to take place at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico later this year. A series of LAS ground and flight tests are planned over the next several years that support the first operational flight of Orion and Ares I scheduled for 2015.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion. http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

About Orbital

Orbital serves as the lead contractor for the Launch Abort System components for the Orion Project. Orbital is a one of the world's leading space technology companies, specializing in the development and operation of smaller-size satellite and launch systems. The company employs more than 3,600 people in 10 states and generates over $1.1 billion in annual revenues. More information about the Launch Abort System and Orbital can be found on the company's web site at http://www.orbital.com/.

About ATK

ATK is also the prime contractor for Ares I first stage. The first stage is a five-segment solid rocket motor that is derived from the proven technology of the twin boosters used to launch the shuttle. ATK is a premier aerospace and defense company with more than 19,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and revenues in excess of $4.5 billion.. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com/