ATK and NASA to Perform Final Ground Test for the Space Shuttle Program

Test will Ensure Safety for Four Remaining Shuttle Flights

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Feb 05, 2010, 05:52 ET

PROMONTORY, Utah, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) and NASA will conduct the last ground test for the Space Shuttle program on February 25, marking the closure of a program that has spanned more than three decades and ushering in the era of the next generation of space exploration.

	What:	Horizontal ground test firing of a four-segment solid rocket motor
	When:	Thursday, February 25, 2010
	Time:	11:55 a.m. MST
	Where:	ATK Space Systems facility in Promontory, Utah

Test Objectives/Background:

A total of 43 design objectives will be measured through 258 instrument channels
This final test will be the 52nd test conducted for NASA's Space Shuttle Program
The ground test will be conducted to ensure the safe fly-out of the remaining four missions
The first test was conducted on July 18, 1977
The cases have previously flown on the space shuttle, collectively launching 38 missions