Atlas V Successfully Launches Morelos-3 Satellite Into Orbit
Morelos-3 Provides Satellite Services for Mexican Government Agencies
DULLES, Va.Oct. 2, 2015--
Orbital ATK, Inc. (NYSE:OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies, provided critical launch vehicle and satellite payload
hardware for the Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) Commercial Launch Services
launch of Mexico s Morelos-3 satellite aboard an Atlas V.
Morelos-3 will be the second satellite that comprises the MEXSAT
communications satellite system. MEXSAT is a constellation of satellites
owned by Secretar a de Comunicaciones y Transportes, a government agency
of Mexico, and operated by Telecomunicaciones de M xico, which delivers
advanced mobile and fixed satellite telecommunications throughout Mexico.
With every launch I am reminded that the products we build are
extremely important to our customers, said Scott Lehr, President of
Orbital ATK s Flight Systems Group. We are pleased to be a part of this
important mission to help increase the telecommunications capability of
the Government of Mexico.
Orbital ATK s contributions to the Atlas V and Morelos-3 satellite
include cutting-edge technologies from across the company. Contributions
include a large composite faring, retro motors and propellant tanks for
the rocket, and thermal and structural components on the satellite.
For the 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 57th Atlas V launch using Orbital ATK-built
composite structures.
This launch also marked the 22nd successful flight of Orbital
ATK produced retro motors. Eight of these solid motors supported
separation of the spent first stage. The Atlas V retrorocket is built at
Orbital ATK s Missile Defense and Controls facility in Elkton, Maryland.
For the Morelos-3 satellite, Orbital ATK provided the structures for the
booms and the 22-meter payload antenna that make up the precision stable
backing structure for the Harris deployable antenna. Orbital ATK s Space
Components Division facility in Magna, Utah, manufactured these
components for the spacecraft. The division also supplied propellant
tanks for the Atlas V rocket. Orbital ATK has provided similar
structural components for the spacecraft industry for more than 35 years
from sites in California and Utah. The Orbital ATK Beltsville, Maryland,
facility manufactured the Loop Heat Pipes and payload heat pipes which
are an integral part of the satellite s thermal control system. Orbital
ATK has delivered more than 50,000 heat pipes to the space industry with
perfect, on-orbit mission success.
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 18 states across the U.S. and in
several international locations. For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com.
Source: Orbital ATK, Inc.
Media:
Orbital ATK Aerospace Structures
Bryan Warren,
801-775-1233
Sr. Communications Manager
bryan.warren@orbitalatk.com
or
Investors:
Orbital
ATK
Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528
Public and Investor Relations
barron.beneski@orbitalatk.com