DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies, supplied products from multiple company locations across
the United States that helped enable the successful launch of both the
United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V vehicle and the GPS satellite that
was deployed today from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
The 10th GPS IIF satellite in the constellation will replace
older, first-generation GPS satellites and provide improved accuracy,
signal strength and quality to America's warfighters, allies and
civilian users worldwide. Boeing (NYSE: BA) designed and built the GPS
IIF satellite for the U.S. Air Force.
"The Atlas V and GPS programs encompass the scope and scale of Orbital
ATK's highly engineered products and affordable innovation," said Scott
Lehr, President of Orbital ATK's Flight Systems Group. "Both military
and civilian GPS users around the world will benefit from increased
capability as a result of our team's collective dedication and execution
excellence."
The Orbital ATK components on both the Atlas V launch vehicle and GPS
satellite utilize the latest technologies from multiple Orbital ATK
facilities. These include large composite structures, retro motors, and
state-of-the art solar arrays and other critical components on the GPS
IIF satellite.
For the ULA 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. Orbital ATK fabricated the assembly using advanced fiber
placement manufacturing techniques at the company's Iuka, Mississippi
facility. This is the 55th Atlas V launch using Orbital
ATK-built composite structures.
This launch also marked the 20th successful flight of Orbital
ATK-produced retro motors. Eight of these solid motors supported
separation of the spent first stage. The Atlas retrorocket is built at
Orbital ATK's facility in Elkton, Maryland.
For the GPS IIF-10 satellite, Orbital ATK provided a host of products
and services.
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Orbital ATK's Goleta, California facility designed and manufactured
the satellite solar arrays and a deployment boom. Orbital ATK has
achieved 100 percent on-orbit success on all solar arrays and
deployable systems delivered and launched to date.
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Orbital ATK's San Diego, California facility manufactured the
composite solar array substrates.
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Orbital ATK's Commerce, California facility had responsibility for the
ullage tank assembly, including the blankets, heaters, thermistors and
pressurant lines. This tank is a spherical vessel constructed of
titanium.
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Orbital ATK's Beltsville, Maryland facility provided heat pipes for
the GPS IIF equipment and radiator panels.
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Orbital ATK's Rancho Bernardo, California facility performed final
assembly and RF (Radio Frequency) testing of the antenna suite for GPS
IIF between 2003 and 2010.
The Block IIF series provides improved accuracy, enhanced internal
atomic clocks, better anti-jam resistance, a civil signal for commercial
aviation and a longer design life. The GPS IIF-10 satellite provides
space-based system global location and time information in all weather
conditions.
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 20 states across the U.S. and in
several international locations. For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com.
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