Made in California Spacecraft Manufacturing, Rocket Integration and
Launch
DULLES, Va.Oct. 31, 2017--
Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies, announced its commercial Minotaur C rocket successfully
launched 10 commercial spacecraft into orbit for Planet. The Minotaur C
launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Orbital ATK s Minotaur C rocket launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base October 31, 2017, at 2:37 p.m. (PDT). Just over 12 minutes later, Planet s spacecraft began to deploy into orbit 310 miles above the Earth. (Photo: Business Wire)
The rocket s first stage ignited at 2:37 p.m. (PDT), and just over 12
minutes later, Planet s six SkySat spacecraft began to deploy one at a
time into their targeted sun synchronous orbit 310 miles (500
kilometers) above the Earth. Following deployment of the main
satellites, Planet s four secondary Dove spacecraft deployed. From this
orbit, the Dove and SkySat network of remote sensing satellites will
deliver a global information feed to businesses, governments and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world.
It s an honor to deliver reliable and affordable access to space for
commercial customers like Planet, said Rich Straka, Vice President and
General Manager of Orbital ATK s Launch Vehicles Division. Launching
small- and medium-class payloads on dedicated Orbital ATK launch
vehicles gives commercial customers the ability to control their
schedules while meeting challenging mission requirements.
The Minotaur C rocket is an all-commercial vehicle capable of launching
payloads up to 3,500 lbs. The configuration that launched today included
four solid rocket commercial motors: CASTOR 120 , Orion 50S
XL, Orion 50 XL and Orion 38. Orbital ATK manufactured all four motors
at facilities in Clearfield, Magna and Promontory, Utah. The company
manufactured the avionics, software and separation systems at facilities
in Chandler, Arizona. Integration of the Minotaur C rocket took place at
Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Planet s Dove and SkySat satellites, which are manufactured in
California, are some of the most capable spacecraft per kilogram ever
produced. A record-breaking 275 Dove satellites have been successfully
deployed and operated in space and today collect more imagery per day
than any other fleet of commercial satellites. The constellation of 13
SkySats is the world s largest commercial, sub-meter fleet of high-res
satellites operating in space.
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 13,000 people across the U.S. and in several
international locations. For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com.
Source: Orbital ATK
Media:
Orbital ATK
Trina Patterson, 801-699-0943
Launch
Vehicles Division Communications
trina.patterson@orbitalatk.com
or
Investors:
Orbital
ATK
Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528
Public and Investor Relations
barron.beneski@orbitalatk.com