ATK’s booster technologies help put satellite into orbit

Alliant Techsystems said Friday that its solid propulsion and composite technologies supported the recent launch of a Lockheed Martin Titan IV B rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., that successfully placed into orbit a Defense Support Program satellite.

Two solid rocket motor upgrade boosters manufactured by ATK Thiokol Propulsion in Magna provided the initial lift for the rocket. The boosters, which measure 112 feet in length and 10.5 feet in diameter, hold nearly 700,000 pounds of propellant and supply 3.4 million pounds of thrust.

The graphite epoxy cases for the boosters are manufactured by ATK Composites in Clearfield.

ATK, which is headquartered in Edina, Minn., is a $2.2 billion aerospace and defense company.