Will Partner On Subcontract Work Ahead Of 2009 First Flight
Test
Alliant Techsystems announced this week it reached an agreement
with United Space Alliance (USA) to perform subcontractor support
to ATK for NASA's Ares I launch vehicle.
In December 2005, NASA named ATK as the prime contractor for the
Ares I first stage and subsequently awarded a multi-year contract
to the company for the design, development, test and evaluation
phase of the program. Ares I is NASA's next-generation human space
flight launch vehicle.
In its role as prime contractor ATK will continue to support
NASA with overall requirements maturation, integration and
establishment of interfaces within the first stage subsystems. ATK
also will provide first stage and system level avionics, and
coordinate a variety of supplier and subcontractor efforts for both
the solid rocket segments and the new first stage assembly
components.
USA's work scope includes engineering and analysis support to
ensure space shuttle Solid Rocket Booster hardware meets the new
Ares first stage requirements, refurbishment of Space Shuttle
components and subsystems for the first stage, and procurement of
several avionics and ordnance components. USA also has a role in
the deceleration subsystem with the new parachutes design,
development and testing. USA will provide skilled personnel to
build up and integrate the new forward structures, designed by
ATK.
"ATK has successfully supported NASA's efforts over the last two
years by leading Ares I first stage Integrated Product Teams, and
completing the first stage Preliminary Design Review with NASA this
summer," said Michael Kahn, Executive Vice President and General
Manager, ATK Launch Systems. "Now that we are approaching the next
phase of the Ares I program we are pleased to have USA as our major
subcontractor. This is the most effective team to ensure success
and the best value for NASA."
"We look forward to being a key member of the ATK Ares I team,"
said Dick Covey, USA President and Chief Executive Officer. "The
capabilities that USA brings to the team are rooted in our Space
Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster heritage, in particular the skill of
designing for operability. USA is fully committed to helping this
team achieve maximum success for NASA's Constellation Program."
In summary remarks, Carl Marchetto, President of ATK Space
Systems said, "The Ares I program is making consistent and dramatic
progress. The Ares 1-X test flight and ground testing of the full
scale five-segment booster for the operational vehicle scheduled
for 2009, and a series of ground tests and flight tests over the
next several years, will clearly demonstrate the program's critical
capabilities for the future of US space exploration."
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