MINNEAPOLIS, 8 Dec. 2005. NASA announced that Alliant Techsystems (ATK) will become the prime contractor to design, develop, test, and evaluate the First Stage propulsion system for its next-generation Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV).
"By expanding ATK's role on CLV to a First Stage prime contractor, we are working in support of NASA's space vision to develop reliable, proven and affordable access to space," said Dan Murphy, ATK chairman and CEO. "This new opportunity for ATK is in addition to our work on the Space Shuttle program and ATK's efforts to support the prime contractor teams competing to develop the Crew Exploration Vehicle."
Opportunities for additional scope on space exploration missions include crew escape designs, lunar-lander systems, thermal and radiation shielding, and advanced lightweight materials.
The scope of work adds substantially to that performed by ATK on the space shuttle program. In its announcement, NASA states, "ATK possesses the facilities, manufacturing capability, and engineering and manufacturing workforce to successfully manufacture the CLV First stage as a single prime contractor."
ATK is a $3.1 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 15,000 people in 23 states. For more information, see www.atk.com.
