ATK and NASA to Perform Second Ground Test of the Ares Five-Segment Solid Rocket Motor

PROMONTORY, Utah, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) and NASA will test the second fully developed Ares five-segment solid rocket motor, known as Development Motor-2 (DM-2). The five-segment rocket motor is an upgraded version of the Shuttle's 4-segment booster, and has also been identified as a key element of NASA's future Heavy Lift Launch vehicle.

Test Objectives/Background:

• A total of 53 design objectives will be measured through more than 760 instruments.
• DM-2 is a "cold motor" test. The motor will be cooled to 40 degrees F to measure solid rocket motor performance at low temperature, as well as to verify design requirements of new materials in the motor joints. These new materials will allow for the elimination of joint heaters that were necessary in the original 4-segment motor design. This will save significant weight, further reduce system complexity and simplify launch operations, while simultaneously delivering increased operating margins at lower ambient temperatures.
• Other objectives include data gathering on vital motor upgrades such as the new insulation and motor case liner and the redesigned nozzle which increase the robustness of the design.
• When fired, the motor will produce a maximum thrust 3.6 million pounds, or 22 million horsepower.
• The cases have all previously flown on the space shuttle, collectively launching on 57 missions.
• A public viewing area is available along State Road 83 North approximately 20 miles west of Corinne, Utah.

SOURCE ATK