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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., July 15, 2004. ATK solid propulsion and composite technologies supported the successful launch of a Boeing Delta II rocket earlier today from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The launch placed NASA's Aura satellite into orbit.
Nine ATK GEM-40 solid propulsion strap-on boosters were used on this launch -- continuing a tradition of flight support for Delta II missions that began in 1990. ATK manufactured the boosters at its Magna, Utah facility.
Six of the boosters ignited at lift-off with the first-stage main engine. Less than a minute later, the remaining three boosters ignited to provide additional thrust. The graphite epoxy cases for the GEM-40 boosters are manufactured by ATK in Clearfield, Utah. ATK also builds cases for other space launch vehicles, including Atlas, Titan IVB, Pegasus, and Taurus.
ATK also developed the primary reflector for Aura's Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. ATK fabricated the 30 ft. long payload fairing shielding the satellite until its release in orbit.
The company also fabricated optical structures, as well as several ancillary components, for Aura's Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES). The TES will gather essential atmospheric data to evaluate global warming affects on the earth during the six-year mission.
For more information, see www.atk.com.
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