Energy News  
ATK Propulsion And Composite Technologies Help Launch GPS Satellite

Following burnout and separation of the GEM-40 boosters (pictured) ATK Star Motors produced in its Ekton facility are used to complete payload separation. After one hour and five minutes an ATK-produced STAR 48B third-stage rocket motor fires -- just over two days later ATK's STAR 37 motor fires completing payload separation.
by Staff Writers
Minneapolis MN (SPX) Oct 17, 2007
Alliant Techsystems propulsion and composite technologies supported today's successful launch of the United Launch Alliance's Delta II rocket carrying the fourth modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System Block 2R military navigation satellite. Nine GEM-40 solid propulsion strap-on boosters manufactured in ATK's Salt Lake City, Utah facility provided augmented thrust for the launch.

ATK's Clearfield, Utah facility produced the composite cases for the GEM-40 boosters using an automated filament winding process developed and refined through its 40-year-heritage in composite manufacturing.

Six of the boosters ignited at lift-off with the first-stage main engine and provided over 824,000 pound maximum thrust for the launch vehicle. Just over one minute later, the remaining three boosters ignited to provide an additional 427,000 pound maximum thrust.

The spent motors were jettisoned from the rocket as it continued its ascent.

Following burnout and separation of the GEM-40 boosters ATK Star Motors produced in its Ekton facility are used to complete payload separation. After one hour and five minutes an ATK-produced STAR 48B third-stage rocket motor fires -- just over two days later ATK's STAR 37 motor fires completing payload separation.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
Alliant Techsystems
Launch Pad at Space-Travel.com



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


United Launch Alliance Atlas V Awarded Two NASA Missions
Denver CO (SPX) Oct 16, 2007
United Launch Alliance was awarded launch services contracts Oct. 3 for two future NASA space exploration missions, Landsat and Juno, scheduled to launch in 2011 aboard Atlas V rockets. Landsat will launch from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and Juno from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Under the terms of the contract, ULA is responsible for conducting vehicle integration and payload processing along with launch services.







  • Analysis: Venezuela to boost Cuban oil
  • Ownership Problems Delay Second Leg Of Yamal-Europe Gas Pipeline
  • Iran Determined To Protect Its Interests In Caspian Region
  • CNOOC to builds offshore wind power plant

  • EDF in talks for Chinese nuclear reactors: executive
  • Larijani Suggests West Put Up With Iran's Nuclear Program
  • US nuclear deal on, says India ruling party
  • Nuclear Deal In Trouble India Warns US As Whitehouse Says Deal Not Dead

  • Giant Atmospheric Waves Over Iowa
  • Global warming driving up humidity levels, says study
  • Ocean Oxidation Preceded First Great Rise In Atmospheric Oxygen
  • Argon Provides Atmospheric Clues

  • Biodiversity said to be key to healthy forests: study
  • Chinese loggers stripping Myanmar's ancient forests
  • Greenpeace aims to expose Indonesian forest destruction
  • France to help rehabilitate burnt Greek farms, forests

  • Fossilized Cashew Nuts Reveal Europe Was Important Route Between Africa And South America
  • China to import more Japanese rice soon: official
  • Drought, demand push up food prices in Australia: report
  • Satellites Help Ensure Efficient Use Of Pesticides

  • Computer Simulator Allows Visually Impaired To Drive
  • For Japanese automakers, the future's green and groovy
  • General Motors To Make 250,000 Chevrolets Per Year In Uzbekistan
  • CU Researchers Shed Light On Light-Emitting Nanodevice

  • MEPs seek limits on aircraft emissions by 2010
  • Aircraft And Automobiles Thrive In Hurricane-Force Winds At Lockheed Martin
  • New Delft Material Concept For Aircraft Wings Could Save Billions
  • Cathay Pacific chief hits out at anti-aviation critics

  • Nuclear Power In Space - Part 2
  • Outside View: Nuclear future in space
  • Nuclear Power In Space
  • Could NASA Get To Pluto Faster? Space Expert Says Yes - By Thinking Nuclear

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement