Jacques van Oene
November 23rd 04, 02:27 PM
News Release
ATK Technologies Help NASA's Swift in its Launch and Exploration of Gamma
Ray Bursts
Minneapolis, November 22, 2004 - ATK (NYSE: ATK) solid propulsion and
composite technologies supported Saturday's successful launch of a Boeing
Delta II rocket carrying NASA's Swift observatory into orbit from Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Swift, which includes four key ATK
composite assemblies, will study gamma ray bursts ? the most powerful
explosions in the universe.
Augmented thrust for the launch was provided by three GEM-40 solid
propulsion strap-on boosters manufactured by ATK ? continuing a tradition of
flight support for Delta II missions that began in 1990.
The boosters ignited at lift-off with the first-stage main engine and burned
for about one minute. The spent motors were jettisoned from the rocket as it
continued its ascent.
Protecting the Swift observatory during its launch and ascent was a 10-foot
composite payload fairing manufactured by ATK.
For NASA's Swift, ATK designed and produced four unique composite structures
to protect and stabilize the observatory's highly sensitive instruments in
space. Covered by a composite coded mask panel fabricated by ATK, the Burst
Alert Telescope (BAT) is the first of Swift's instruments to detect and
localize a gamma ray burst. The precision X-ray telescope, also fashioned by
ATK, and the ultraviolet/optical telescope, are supported by a stable ATK
composite optical bench. Protecting the Swift telescopes is a sunshade held
in place by five ATK composite tubes.
ATK is a $2.4 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing
13,600 people in 23 states.
--
---------------------------
Jacques :-)
www.spacepatches.info
ATK Technologies Help NASA's Swift in its Launch and Exploration of Gamma
Ray Bursts
Minneapolis, November 22, 2004 - ATK (NYSE: ATK) solid propulsion and
composite technologies supported Saturday's successful launch of a Boeing
Delta II rocket carrying NASA's Swift observatory into orbit from Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Swift, which includes four key ATK
composite assemblies, will study gamma ray bursts ? the most powerful
explosions in the universe.
Augmented thrust for the launch was provided by three GEM-40 solid
propulsion strap-on boosters manufactured by ATK ? continuing a tradition of
flight support for Delta II missions that began in 1990.
The boosters ignited at lift-off with the first-stage main engine and burned
for about one minute. The spent motors were jettisoned from the rocket as it
continued its ascent.
Protecting the Swift observatory during its launch and ascent was a 10-foot
composite payload fairing manufactured by ATK.
For NASA's Swift, ATK designed and produced four unique composite structures
to protect and stabilize the observatory's highly sensitive instruments in
space. Covered by a composite coded mask panel fabricated by ATK, the Burst
Alert Telescope (BAT) is the first of Swift's instruments to detect and
localize a gamma ray burst. The precision X-ray telescope, also fashioned by
ATK, and the ultraviolet/optical telescope, are supported by a stable ATK
composite optical bench. Protecting the Swift telescopes is a sunshade held
in place by five ATK composite tubes.
ATK is a $2.4 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing
13,600 people in 23 states.
--
---------------------------
Jacques :-)
www.spacepatches.info