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ATK and NASA Team Complete Another Successful Ares I Main Parachute Drop-Test

Main Parachute Passes Third Key Test for NASA Program
Ares I Parachute System will be used Operationally on Ares I-X

Oct 08, 2009

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK), the prime contractor for the first stage of the Ares I launch vehicle, along with NASA, the U.S. Army, and United Space Alliance (USA), successfully conducted the third in a series of four Ares I main parachute drop-tests. These tests aid the development of the deceleration system for the Ares I First Stage solid rocket motor. The test was conducted at the Army's Yuma Proving Grounds.

The test consisted of extracting a 72,000 pound test payload from a C-17 aircraft flying at 25,000 feet, tying the record for largest single payload pulled from a C-17. Following the extraction, a 60,000 pound test article (jumbo dart) was separated from the pallet. The jumbo dart was then allowed to accelerate to the desired conditions before the 150-foot-diameter main parachute was deployed. The objective of this test was to develop and measure a load on the main parachute similar to that expected during Ares I flight.

"This is yet another successful milestone for the Ares I program, which has been steadily progressing over the past four years," said Mike Kahn, executive vice president of ATK Space Systems. "We are looking forward to seeing this parachute system function in just a matter of weeks during the launch of Ares I-X."

The newly-developed Ares I parachute system is already packed and ready to be used operationally during the flight test of Ares I-X, a full scale launch vehicle with an inert upper stage. Ares I-X is one of many systems that will provide valuable flight data that will aid in finalizing the design of Ares I.

The Ares I launch vehicle, which is slated to replace the Space Shuttle, utilizes a five-segment reusable solid rocket developed from the twin four-segment boosters used to launch the Space Shuttle. Like the recovery system for the shuttle boosters, the Ares first stage recovery system will consist of pilot and drogue chutes that reorient and decelerate the used solid rocket motor prior to deploying a cluster of three main parachutes. Due to the added weight of the extra segment on Ares I and the higher apogee reached by the Ares first stage, the main parachutes for the Ares recovery system were designed to be 20% larger than the one currently used on the shuttle boosters. The parachutes were designed and manufactured by USA at the Kennedy Space Center under a subcontract to ATK.

To date, ATK and its partners have successfully conducted three pilot, two drogue, three single main, and one main cluster parachute drop tests. Four additional parachute drop tests are planned over the next two years. Ares I-X will be the next test of the entire system, followed by further testing next spring.

ATK is a premier aerospace and defense company with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and revenues of approximately $4.8 billion. News and information can be found on the Internet at 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: the challenges and assumptions related to the development of next-generation human space launch capabilities; 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:

    Trina Patterson                        Jeff Huebschen
    Phone:  801-699-0943                   Phone:  952-351-2929
    E-mail:  trina.patterson@atk.com       E-mail:  jeff.huebschen@atk.com