Latest Project Constellation Stories

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) released the following statement regarding NASA's announcement of its Space Launch System architecture: "ATK applauds NASA's decision to move forward with a Space Launch System for human deep space exploration. We are proud that NASA will utilize ATK's five-segment solid rocket motors as the baseline design for the initial flights. ATK's five-segment boosters provide unmatched capability and we will deliver this performance...

New Heavy-lift Rocket Will Take Humans Far Beyond Earth WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA has selected the design of a new Space Launch System that will take the agency's astronauts farther into space than ever before, create high-quality jobs here at home, and provide the cornerstone for America's future human space exploration efforts. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO) This new heavy-lift rocket--in combination with a crew capsule...

  [ View the Video ] NASA announced plans on Wednesday to develop an advanced heavy-lift launch vehicle which will be able to start launching in 2017. The Space Launch System (SLS) will be designed to carry the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, as well as important cargo, equipment and science experiments to Earth's orbit and destinations beyond, according to a NASA. "This launch system will create good-paying American jobs, ensure continued U.S. leadership in space, and inspire...

  NASA said on Tuesday that it has agreed to a partnership with Alliant Techsystems (ATK) on the development of the Liberty Launch Systems. The rocket was originally called Ares 1 and was developed under NASA's Constellation moon exploration program. It will be sold for satellite launches and station cargo resupply missions, according to a Reuters report. The space agency said ATK will present NASA officials the Liberty systems level requirements, preliminary design, and...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA and Alliant Techsystems (ATK) of Salt Lake City have agreed to collaborate on the development of the company's Liberty Launch System as part of the agency's Commercial Crew Development Round 2 activities. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO) The unfunded Space Act Agreement (SAA) through NASA's Commercial Crew Program will allow the agency and ATK to review and discuss Liberty system requirements;...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) and NASA announced a partnership today to work together during the development of ATK's commercial Liberty(TM) Launch System, an agreement that also supports the 2010 National Space Policy by furthering international partnerships. The team signed an unfunded Space Act Agreement (SAA) that enables NASA and the Liberty program office to provide technical interaction for the launch system during the Preliminary Design...

  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Sept. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The NASA and Alliant Techsystems (ATK) announcement of an agreement that could accelerate the availability of U.S. commercial crew transportation capabilities at 3 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Sept. 13 will be carried live on NASA Television. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO) The announcement will occur at the Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The participants are:...

NASA and Alliant Techsystems (ATK) managers will announce an agreement that could accelerate the availability of U.S. commercial crew transportation capabilities at 3 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Sept. 13. The announcement will occur at the Press Site auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The event will not be carried live on NASA Television. NASA TV's Video File segment will air highlights. The announcement participants are: -- Ed Mango, Commercial Crew Program manager, NASA...

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE: GY) company, announced that its AJ10 engine successfully powered the second stage of today's Delta II launch carrying a new generation of lunar exploration spacecraft. Under contract to United Launch Alliance, Aerojet's AJ10 hypergolic engine provided 10,000 lbs. of thrust during today's launch of NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission. The mission will fly twin spacecraft in tandem orbits...

  A Utah-based aerospace company successfully completed a two-minute test of a booster rocket Thursday, an event the firm referred to as "an important milestone in further validating the rocket's potential use in heavy lift and commercial launch vehicles," in a Sept. 8 press release. According to Josh Loftin of the Associated Press (AP), the ATK Aerospace Systems' five-stage, 154-foot, 22-million horsepower booster, code-named Development Motor (DM-3), was described by the company's VP...