Space

ATK Engineering Services Play Key Roles in LRO Mission

Jun 19, 2009

ATK Systems and Structures Essential to Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Launch

ATK Helps LRO Mission Gather Data to Enable Future Long-Duration Human Lunar Missions

MINNEAPOLIS, June 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) played a key role in the successful launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)/ Lunar CRater Observation Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mission from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The company provided engineering services and a myriad of systems and structures for the LRO spacecraft and will support the mission team post-launch. This is the 16th Atlas V launch using ATK-built composite structures.

ATK was one of the largest support contractors for the mission and provided critical systems engineering, mission assurance, thermal, mechanical, and guidance, navigation and control (GNC) systems support. ATK also provided key support in the design, analysis, fabrication, integration, and testing of most of the major spacecraft subsystems.

"ATK touched nearly every subsystem on this spacecraft," said Tom Wilson, vice president and general manager of Spacecraft Systems and Services for ATK Space Systems. "Our contributions are integral to the entire flight segment, and we are honored to be partners with Goddard Space Flight Center on this important mission."

Several ATK locations worked together to support the LRO mission. ATK manufactured the structural panels, solar array substrates, propulsion primary deck, deployable subsystem components, and heat pipes at its Beltsville, Md. facility. The heat pipes were then integrated into the Iso-Thermal Avionics panel and the primary spacecraft radiator at ATK's Corona, Calif. facility. ATK manufactured the RCS propellant tank for the mission at its Commerce, Calif. facility. Additionally, at its Clearfield, Utah facility ATK fabricated the 10' diameter composite heatshield and baseplate that provide essential protection for the first stage of the launch vehicle.

The LRO spacecraft will travel to the Moon and spend at least a year in a low polar orbit collecting detailed information about the lunar environment. Its seven instruments will help identify sites close to potential resources with high scientific value, favorable terrain and the environment necessary for long-duration lunar expeditions.

ATK is a premier aerospace and defense company with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and revenues in excess of $4.7 billion. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.

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