ULA Atlas V Rocket Successfully Launches GPS Satellite for U.S. Air
Force
DULLES, Va.Nov. 2, 2015--
Orbital ATK's propulsion and composite technologies supported the launch of ULA's Atlas V rocket on October 31 carrying the GPS IIF-11 satellite for the U.S. Air Force. Photo by United Launch Alliance
INTEGRATED ORBITAL ATK PRODUCTS ENABLE IMPROVED GLOBAL POSITIONING ON
EARTH
ULA Atlas V Rocket Successfully Launches GPS Satellite for U.S. Air
Force
Orbital ATK, Inc. (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies, contributed integrated hardware to Saturday s successful
launch of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket and the GPS
Block IIF satellite payload from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,
Florida.
Now in geosynchronous orbit above the Earth, the eleventh GPS IIF
satellite in the constellation will replace older, first-generation GPS
satellites and provide improved accuracy, signal strength and quality to
America s warfighters, allies and civilian users worldwide. Boeing
(NYSE: BA) designed and built the GPS IIF satellite for the U.S. Air
Force.
It is exciting to see Orbital ATK produced structures and components on
both the launch vehicle and satellite of another successful EELV
launch, said Scott Lehr, President of Orbital ATK s Flight Systems
Group. We look forward to adding our new GEM-63 solid rocket
boosters--which are currently under development to ULA s Atlas V
launches beginning in late 2018.
The Orbital ATK components, in both the ULA Atlas V launch vehicle and
satellite, utilize the latest, cutting-edge technology across multiple
divisions. These include large composite structures, retro motors,
propellant tanks, state-of-the art solar arrays and other critical
components on the GPS IIF satellite.
For the ULA Atlas V rocket, Orbital ATK produced the 10-foot diameter
composite heat shield, which provides higher performance with lower
weight, and essential protection for the first stage of the launch
vehicle from engine exhaust temperatures in excess of 4,000 degrees
Fahrenheit. The assembly was fabricated using advanced fiber placement
manufacturing techniques at Orbital ATK's Iuka, Mississippi, facility.
This is the 59th ULA Atlas V launch using Orbital ATK-built composite
structures.
This flight marked the 23rd successful flight of the Orbital ATK retro
motors. Eight of these solid motors provided thrust for separation of
the spent first stage. The ULA Atlas V retrorocket is built at Orbital
ATK's Elkton, Maryland, facility.
Orbital ATK s Space Components Division facility in Commerce, California
manufactured the Reaction Control System (RCS) propellant tanks for the
ULA Atlas V rocket.
For the GPS IIF-11 satellite, Orbital ATK provided a host of products
and services, including:
-
Orbital ATK s Goleta, California, facility designed and manufactured
the satellite solar arrays and a deployment boom. Orbital ATK has
achieved 100 percent on-orbit success on all solar arrays and
deployable systems delivered and launched to date.
-
Orbital ATK s San Diego, California, facility manufactured the
composite solar array substrates and structural components.
-
Orbital ATK s Commerce, California, facility had responsibility for
the ullage tank assembly, including the blankets, heaters, thermistors
and pressurant lines. This tank is a spherical vessel constructed of
titanium.
-
Orbital ATK s Beltsville, Maryland, facility provided heat pipes for
the GPS IIF equipment and radiator panels.
-
Orbital ATK s Rancho Bernardo, California, facility performed final
assembly and RF (Radio Frequency) testing of the antenna suite for GPS
IIF between 2003 and 2010.
The Block IIF series provides improved accuracy, enhanced internal
atomic clocks, better anti-jam resistance, a civil signal for commercial
aviation and a longer design life. The GPS IIF-11 satellite provides
space-based system global location and time information in all weather
conditions.
About Orbital ATK
Orbital ATK is a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies.
The company designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation
systems for customers around the world, both as a prime contractor and
merchant supplier. Its main products include launch vehicles and related
propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense
electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition;
satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced
aerospace structures. Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK
employs approximately 12,000 people in 18 states across the U.S. and in
several international locations. For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com.
Source: Orbital ATK, Inc.
Media Contact:
Orbital ATK Aerospace Structures
Bryan
Warren, 801-775-1233
Sr. Communications Manager
bryan.warren@orbitalatk.com
or
Investor
Contact:
Orbital ATK
Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528
Public
and Investor Relations
barron.beneski@orbitalatk.com