Successful Flight Extends Flawless Record of Minotaur Product Line to
26 Missions
DULLES, Va.Aug. 26, 2017--
Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies, announced its Minotaur IV space launch vehicle
successfully launched and placed into orbit the U.S. Air Force s
Operationally Responsive Space-5 (ORS-5) spacecraft on August 26, 2017.
The Minotaur IV launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station s Space
Launch Complex 46 (SLC-46), which is operated under license by Space
Florida. This mission marks the 26th consecutive successful launch for
the company s Minotaur product line.
Orbital ATK's Minotaur IV rocket roars off from Space Florida's Launch Complex 46 carrying the ORS-5 satellite for the U.S. Air Force. (Photo: Business Wire)
The rocket s first stage ignited at 2:04 a.m. (EDT). Approximately 28
minutes later, the Minotaur IV deployed the ORS-5 satellite into its
targeted low inclination orbit 372 miles (599 kilometers) above the
earth. From this orbit, ORS-5 will deliver timely, reliable and accurate
space situational awareness information to the United States Strategic
Command through the Joint Space Operations Center.
This was our first Minotaur launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, demonstrating the rocket s capability to launch from all four
major U.S. spaceports, said Rich Straka, Vice President and General
Manager of Orbital ATK s Launch Vehicles Division. With a perfect track
record of 26 successful launches, the Minotaur family has proven to be a
valuable and reliable asset for the Department of Defense.
The Minotaur family of launch vehicles is based on government-furnished
Peacekeeper and Minuteman rocket motors that Orbital ATK has upgraded
and integrated with modern avionics and other subsystems to produce an
affordable launcher based on flight-proven hardware. Minotaur rockets
have now launched from ranges in California, Virginia, Alaska and
Florida. The vehicles are procured under the OSP-3 contract administered
by Kirtland Air Force Base.
Orbital ATK has launched nearly 100 space launch and strategic rockets
for the U.S. Air Force, said Scott Lehr, President of Orbital ATK s
Flight Systems Group. We re proud to be a partner they can count on.
The ORS-5 launch was the sixth Minotaur IV flight. The Minotaur IV is
capable of launching payloads up to 4,000 lbs. (or 1,800 kg.) to
low-Earth orbit. This mission s Minotaur IV configuration included three
decommissioned Peacekeeper stages, an Orion 38 solid-fuel upper stage
and an additional Orion 38 insertion stage for the payload. The Minotaur
rockets are manufactured at Orbital ATK s facilities in Chandler,
Arizona; Vandenberg, California; and Clearfield and Magna, Utah.
The ORS-5 team is led by the Space and Missile Systems Center s
Operationally Responsive Space Office, located at Kirtland Air Force
Base, New Mexico. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln
Laboratory in Lexington, Massachusetts, is the ORS-5 prime contractor.
The 50th Space Wing at Schriever AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado,
operates the ORS-5 system.
The Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center, located
at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the Air Force's center of
acquisition excellence for acquiring and developing military space
systems such as ORS-5. Its portfolio includes the Global Positioning
System, military satellite communications, defense meteorological
satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control networks,
space based infrared systems and space situational awareness
capabilities.
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 Contact:
Orbital ATK
Trina Patterson, (801)
699-0943
Launch Vehicles Division Communications
trina.patterson@orbitalatk.com
or
Investor
Contact:
Orbital ATK
Barron Beneski, (703) 406-5528
Public
and Investor Relations
barron.beneski@orbitalatk.com