ATK Composite Technology Supports Recent Atlas V Launch

• ATK Composite Technology Used on 20 Atlas V Launches

ATK's Clearfield Utah Facility Fabricated Composite Heat Shield to Protect Atlas V Launch Vehicle During Ascent

(Minneapolis, February 11, 2010) -- Alliant Techsystems' (NYSE: ATK) composite technology supported today's successful launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The launch placed NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory into orbit.


Using advanced fiber placement manufacturing techniques, ATK produced the 10 foot diameter composite heat shield that provides essential protection for the first stage of the launch vehicle. The part was fabricated by ATK at its Clearfield, Utah facility. This is the 20th Atlas V launch using ATK built composite structures.

ATK's composite technologies deliver superior performance for numerous space launch vehicles, including the Atlas V, Delta II and Delta IV. Composite structures are lighter weight than traditional metal alloys yet offer increased strength. The company also manufactures composite components for military and commercial aircraft.

The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) is the first mission to be launched for NASA's "Living With a Star" program, which is designed to understand the causes of solar variability and its impacts on Earth. SDO is designed to aid in understanding the Sun's influence on Earth and Near-Earth space by studying the solar atmosphere on small scales of space and time and in many wavelengths simultaneously.

Source : Alliant Tech Systems, Inc (ATK) (NYSE: ATK)