Initial Collaborative Program of Two Predecessor Companies Produced
and Launched First Iconic Rocket in 1990
Pegasus and Derivatives Have Accounted for Over 150 Vehicle Sales
Worth More Than $4 Billion During the Last Quarter Century
DULLES, Va.Apr. 6, 2015--
Orbital
ATK, Inc. (NYSE:OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies, today announced that yesterday marked the 25th
anniversary of the first flight of its Pegasus air-launched rocket. The
world s first all-new privately-developed space launch vehicle, Pegasus
was developed in the late 1980 s in a joint venture between Orbital
Sciences Corporation and Hercules Aerospace Company, a predecessor to
ATK Inc., and was first launched on April 5, 1990.
Orbital ATK marked the 25th anniversary of the first flight of its Pegasus air-launched rocket. The world's first all-new privately-developed space launch vehicle, Pegasus was developed in the late 1980's in a joint venture between Orbital Sciences Corporation and Hercules Aerospace Company, a predecessor to ATK Inc., and was first launched on April 5, 1990. (Photo: Business Wire)
Since its maiden flight 25 years ago, Pegasus has conducted a total of
42 space launches, including 28 consecutive successful flights over the
past 18 years since 1997. With some launches carrying multiple small
satellites on a single rocket, these Pegasus flights placed over 80
satellites into orbit for scientific, commercial, defense and
international customers. Recent missions carried out by the air-launched
booster include the launch of NASA s NuSTAR astrophysics satellite in
2012 and IRIS heliophysics spacecraft in 2013. Pegasus is also scheduled
to launch additional satellites into orbit in 2016 and 2017.
Pegasus technology and subsystems, including the vehicle s solid rocket
motors, avionics and control systems, and composite structures, also
have been used in more than 110 other Orbital ATK-built launch vehicles.
These include the company s Orbital Boost Vehicle (OBV) missile defense
interceptors, IRBM- and ICBM-class target vehicles, Minotaur and Taurus
space launch vehicles, and Hyper-X hypersonic test boosters. Pegasus and
its derivatives are compatible with air-launch deployment from three
aircraft types (L-1011, B-52, C-17) and have been launched from eight
ranges in the U.S. and overseas.
Following the rocket s first flight, the Pegasus development team
received the National Medal of Technology from President George H. W.
Bush and the Air and Space Museum Trophy from the Smithsonian
Institution, among other honors and awards.
Pegasus combined major technological advances in propulsion systems,
composite structures, digital avionics and aerodynamic design with a new
business model involving commercial development and operation of space
launch vehicles, said Dr. Antonio Elias, Orbital ATK s Chief Technical
Officer and Pegasus inventor.
The spirit of innovation that Pegasus reflects is alive and well at
Orbital ATK today, with several exciting new projects now underway.
These include novel space systems, advanced precision weapons and, yes,
new launch vehicles made possible by the combined capabilities of ATK
and Orbital, he added.
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 more than 12,000 people in 20 states across the U.S. and in
several international locations. For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com.
Source: Orbital ATK, Inc.
Media:
Orbital ATK, Inc.
Trina Helquist, 480-406-1234
Flight
Systems Group
trina.helquist@orbitalatk.com
or
Investor:
Orbital
ATK, Inc.
Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528
Public and Investor
Relations
barron.beneski@orbitalatk.com