Company Completes GEOStar-2-Based Spacecraft in Just 20 Months
Launch Aboard Ariane 5 Rocket Scheduled for Late May
DULLES, Va.Apr. 17, 2015--
Orbital ATK, Inc. (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies, today announced it delivered the SKY MEXICO-1 (SKYM-1)
satellite to the launch site in Kourou, French Guiana for its DIRECTV
customer. The SKYM-1 satellite, due to launch in late May, will provide
direct-to-home television broadcast services to Mexico, Central America
and the Caribbean for DIRECTV.
SKYM-1 in Orbital ATK s Dulles, Virginia satellite manufacturing facility. (Photo: Business Wire)
The company produced the satellite at its Dulles, Virginia manufacturing
facility in just 20 months, four months ahead of the original baseline
schedule. The SKYM-1 satellite, which is based on the flight-proven
GEOStar-2TM platform, will now undergo pre-launch
preparations for a late May launch aboard an Ariane 5 rocket.
Our ability to deliver this satellite well ahead of schedule
demonstrates the effective, experienced performance of our Orbital ATK
team. We take great pride in the short cycle manufacturing process that
results in high quality and reliable satellites for our customers, said
Chris Richmond, Vice President and General Manager of Orbital ATK s
commercial satellite division. SKYM-1 is our first satellite built for
DIRECTV and represents what we hope will be the start of a longstanding,
successful relationship.
"Orbital ATK's execution on this program has been phenomenal," said Phil
Goswitz, Senior Vice President of Space and Communications for DIRECTV.
"Its program team worked with DIRECTV to successfully manage several
technical hurdles and delivered four months ahead of schedule. Orbital
ATK exceeded its commitment to us, and that's what everyone is looking
for in this industry."
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 Contact:
Orbital ATK, Inc.
Vicki Cox, 703-406-5663
Space
Systems Group Public Relations
vicki.cox@orbitalatk.com
or
Investor
Contact:
Orbital ATK, Inc.
Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528
Public
and Investor Relations
barron.beneski@orbitalatk.com