ATK-Iuka supports ULA launch

Orbital ATK Inc., a global aerospace and defense technologies company, supported the launch of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla, on June 11. The rocket launched a classified satellite, designated NROL-37, for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office in support of a national security mission. Orbital ATK-produced structures and components on the ULA Delta IV heavy launch vehicle contributed to “another successful launch today," said Steve Earl, VP/GM of Orbital ATK's Aerospace Structures Division. Orbital ATK's contributions to the ULA Delta IV heavy rocket include 10 key large composite structures, including three thermal shields that house and protect the engines during flight, three center-body structures that connect the liquid oxygen (LO2) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks, the composite interstage on the center common booster core, the nose cones on the two strap-on boosters and one set of X-panel structures that connect the upper stage LOX tank with the upper stage hydrogen tank. The large-scale composite structures measure around 5.4 yards in diameter and range from one to 15 meters in length. Orbital ATK produced them all using advanced hand layup, machining and inspection techniques at the company's manufacturing facility in Iuka, Miss. (Orbital ATK 06/11/16)