posted 02-08-2011 12:24 AM               

ATK and Astrium Unveil the Liberty™ Launch Vehicle Initiative for NASA's CCDev-2 Competition

Based on the Most Reliable Propulsion Systems in the World, the Liberty can Achieve a First Flight by 2013 and Close the U.S. Human Space Flight Gap.

ATK and Astrium (an EADS Company) are working together in response to NASA's Commercial Crew Development-2 (CCDev-2) procurement. The team is offering NASA launch services with the Liberty rocket. This new launch vehicle combines two of the world's most reliable propulsion systems, with a collective heritage of nearly 150 successful flights.

ATK would supply the human-rated first stage, which it developed under NASA's Space Exploration Program. The five-segment solid rocket first stage is derived from the Space Shuttle's four-segment solid rocket boosters (SRBs) which are built by ATK and have flown 107 successful missions since 1988 (encompassing 214 SRBs).

Astrium, the developer and manufacturer of the Ariane 5 launcher, working with Snecma (Safran Group), Europe's leading propulsion company, is providing Liberty's second stage based on the liquid-fueled cryogenic core of the Ariane 5 vehicle powered by the Vulcain2 engine. The Ariane 5 Launcher, operated by Arianespace, has flown more than 40 consecutive successful missions over nearly eight years and has launched more commercial satellites than any other launch vehicle in the world during that time. The Ariane 5 enjoys the lowest launch insurance rates in the industry due to an unrivaled safety record in the commercial launch services market.

"This team represents the true sense of international partnership in that we looked across borders to find the best for our customers," said Blake Larson, President of ATK Aerospace Systems Group. "Together we combine unique flight-proven systems and commercial experience that allows us to offer the market's most capable launch vehicle along with flexibility to meet a wide variety of emerging needs. Liberty provides greater performance at less cost than any other comparable launch vehicle."

Liberty would be a two stage launcher able to deliver 44,500 pounds to the International Space Station orbit, which would give it a launch capability to carry any crew vehicle in development. Both stages were designed for human-rating since inception and would enable unmatched crew safety. Since Liberty uses qualified, proven, and reliable systems, the team has planned an initial flight by the end of 2013, a second test flight in 2014, and operational capability in 2015.

"The Liberty initiative provides tremendous value because it builds on European Ariane 5 launcher heritage, while allowing NASA to leverage the mature first stage," said Charlie Precourt, Vice President and General Manager of ATK Space Launch Systems. "We will provide unmatched payload performance at a fraction of the cost, and we will launch it from the Kennedy Space Center using facilities that have already been built. This approach allows NASA to utilize the investments that have already been made in our nation's ground infrastructure and propulsion systems for the Space Exploration Program."

The advantages of the Liberty launch system are extensive. It is built on a solid foundation of human-rated launch technology, and leverages billions of dollars of investments by NASA and NATO-allied European Governments in the frame of the European Space Agency. This international effort--which embodies the spirit of global cooperation articulated in the recent National Space Policy--will afford NASA a readily available, cost-effective solution for human spaceflight. Finally, NASA is already extremely familiar with the Ariane and ATK launch systems, both of which have played historic roles in directly supporting NASA's mission.

The five-segment first stage design is based on more than 30 years of safety-driven improvements on the space shuttle program. The result is a higher performing, more reliable solid rocket motor, which equates to increased safety for crew and mission success for cargo. Besides adding a fifth segment, ATK also enhanced the propellant grain, provided a larger nozzle opening, and upgraded the liner and insulation -- all designed to meet performance requirements and increase reliability while significantly lowering manufacturing costs.

The five-segment first stage was successfully ground tested twice (September 2009 and August 2010), and the successful Ares I-X flight test in October 2009 demonstrated vehicle proof of concept, and vital flight performance of a launch vehicle configuration very comparable to Liberty. It also demonstrated effective vehicle integration, ground processing and launch operations.

Other Liberty team members include: United Space Alliance (USA) of Houston, Texas and Kennedy Space Center, Fla. for launch vehicle integration and ground operations support, and L-3 Communications of Cincinnati, Ohio for first stage avionics.

About ATK - ATK is an aerospace, defense, and commercial products company with operations in 24 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally, and revenues of approximately $4.8 billion.

About Astrium - Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2009, Astrium had a turnover of euro 4.8 billion and more than 15,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure, Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment, and Astrium Services for comprehensive end-to-end value-added solutions covering secure and commercial satcoms and networks, high security satellite communications equipment, bespoke geo-information and navigation services worldwide.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2009, the Group - comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter - generated revenues of euro 42.8 billion and employed a workforce of more than 119,000. EADS operates in the United States through EADS North America.

About Snecma (Safran Group): Snecma (Safran Group) is one of the world's leading manufacturers of aircraft and space engines, with a wide range of propulsion systems on offer. The company designs and builds commercial aircraft engines - including the CFM56 world's leader - and military aircraft engines, together with a complete range of engine maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) services. Snecma develops and produces propulsion systems and equipment for launch vehicles and satellites. In this field, Snecma brings together 40 partners across twelve of the European Space Agency's member states, to produce Ariane's Vulcain, Vulcain2 and HM7B engines.

About Ariane 5: The Ariane 5 Launcher in the frame of ESA (European Space Agency) programs, is developed and manufactured by Astrium and operated by Arianespace. Arianespace is the world's leading launch Service & Solutions company, providing innovation to its customers since 1980. Backed by 21 shareholders and the European Space Agency, Arianespace offers an unrivalled family of launchers, comprising Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega, and an international workforce renowned for a culture of commitment and excellence. As of January 31, 2011, Arianespace has launched with Ariane launchers a total of 289 payloads, including more than half of all the commercial satellites now in service worldwide. It has a backlog of 21 Ariane 5 and 18 Soyuz launches, equal to more than three years of business.

posted 09-13-2011 02:10 PM               

ATK and NASA Sign Space Act Agreement for Liberty Launch System

Agreement Includes International Partnership

ATK and NASA announced a partnership today to work together during the development of ATK's commercial Liberty 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 Review phase of the program.

"This SAA enables us to exchange information with NASA and receive valuable insight as we develop our fixed-price commercial crew vehicle and prepare it for test flight as early as 2014," said Kent Rominger, ATK vice president and program manager for Liberty. "This helps us to ensure that we provide the safest, most reliable, cost-effective and capable launch vehicle for crew transport."

The launch vehicle combines two of the world's most reliable propulsion systems. ATK is the prime, providing the human-rated five-segment solid rocket motor as the first stage, and Astrium (an EADS Company), is providing the core stage from the Ariane 5 rocket, including the Vulcain 2 engine as Liberty's upper stage. Liberty has the capability to lift 44,000 pounds to low-Earth-orbit, the highest pounds to orbit of any other vehicle currently working under commercial agreements.

The Liberty Launch System program has been underway for more than a year following the approval of international technical exchange agreements. Since that time, the team has successfully conducted a System Requirements Review and a System Development Review and continues to work towards a Preliminary Design Review--all efforts that have been supported exclusively by internal funding.

The SAA continues through at least March 2012, and the Liberty team will work with NASA's Commercial Crew Office out of Kennedy Space Center. A total of four milestones will be met under the SAA.

"With this SAA we believe NASA will benefit from gaining insight into the various systems we are developing, and we can benefit from the feedback," said Rominger. "In the end we hope to offer a commercial solution to NASA, the Department of Defense and other commercial human spaceflight programs."

ATK plans to implement a launch system to serve various commercial markets, including crew, cargo, and government satellite markets.

Both of the Liberty propulsion systems were designed for human rating. The five-segment motor is derived from the Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motors and the core stage for the Ariane 5 was originally slated to lift the Hermes Space Plane. The fact that its upper stage was designed to lift a winged vehicle gives Liberty additional capability. The current goal is to have a test launch in 2014, with a crewed flight on the vehicle's third flight in 2015.

"Now that we are working closely with NASA, we will also look for other funding sources to further speed the development of Liberty," said Rominger.

ATK is an aerospace, defense, and commercial products company with operations in 22 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally, and revenues of approximately $4.8 billion.

posted 01-24-2012 01:13 PM               

ATK Completes Third Space Act Agreement Milestone for Liberty under NASA's Commercial Crew Program

ATK's Liberty Launch System Designed to Provide Safe, Reliable Crew Transportation to the ISS

ATK's Liberty program successfully held its Launch System Initial Systems Design (ISD) Review, which completes the third of five milestones in the company's unfunded Space Act Agreement (SAA) with NASA for the Commercial Crew Development Program.

The SAA enables NASA and the Liberty team to share technical information related to the Liberty Transportation System during the Preliminary Design Review phase of the program. During this meeting ATK presented the status of Liberty's systems level requirements, preliminary design and certification process.

"This unfunded partnership with ATK on its Liberty systems brings expertise from around the globe and we are glad to contribute our more than 50 years of human spaceflight experience to this effort," said Ed Mango, NASA's Commercial Crew Program manager.

"With the SAA in place we have been able to work closely with NASA's Commercial Program and receive valuable feedback as we develop the Liberty Transportation System," said Kent Rominger, ATK vice president and program manager for Liberty. "We continue to develop Liberty with the goal of providing the safest, most reliable, cost-effective and capable launch vehicle for crew transport."

The current SAA continues through at least March 2012. The two milestones met earlier included a Requirements Status Briefing and a Technical Interchange Meeting for the Liberty Transportation System. The ISD Review included Liberty team members from ATK, Astrium (an EADS Company), their subcontractors, and representatives from NASA's Commercial Crew Office at Kennedy Space Center and NASA representatives from other centers.

Prior to the signing of the Space Act Agreeement, the Liberty team successfully conducted a System Requirements Review and a System Development Review. All efforts to date have been supported exclusively by internal funding.

The commercial crew Liberty Transportation System combines two of the world's most reliable propulsion systems. ATK is the prime, providing the human-rated five-segment solid rocket motor as the first stage. Astrium is providing the core stage from the Ariane 5 rocket, including the Vulcain 2 engine, as Liberty's upper stage. The launch vehicle has the capability to lift 44,000 pounds to low-Earth-orbit.

"Liberty not only has the highest pounds-to-orbit of any other vehicle currently working under commercial agreements, it also is the only vehicle that was originally designed for human rating," said Rominger.

The five-segment motor is derived from the human-rated Space Shuttle and Ares solid rocket motors, and the core stage for the Ariane 5 was originally slated to lift the Hermes Space Plane. The current goal is to begin test launches in 2015, with a crewed flight in 2016.

ATK is an aerospace, defense, and commercial products company with operations in 22 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally, and revenues of approximately $4.8 billion.

posted 05-09-2012 07:01 PM               

ATK Announces Complete Liberty System to Provide Commercial Crew Access

Liberty System Includes Spacecraft, Launch Vehicle, Ground and Mission Ops

ATK (NYSE: ATK) announced today it has developed Liberty into a complete commercial crew transportation system, including the spacecraft, abort system, launch vehicle, and ground and mission operations, designed from inception to meet NASA's human-rating requirements with a potential for the first test flight in 2014 and Liberty crewed flight in 2015. The company also announced Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) will provide support to the ATK and Astrium Liberty team as a major subcontractor on the project.

"Our goal in providing Liberty is to build the safest and most robust system that provides the shortest time to operation using tested and proven human-rated components," said Kent Rominger, vice president and program manager for Liberty. "Liberty will give the U.S. a new launch capability with a robust business case and a schedule that we expect will have us flying crews in just three years, ending our dependence on Russia."

"Liberty will enable a successful commercial space program and result in a globally competitive capability that America doesn't have today," said Rominger. "This program is changing the way we do business and can also result in a positive change to government programs."

Liberty's test flights are expected to begin in 2014, with a crewed mission anticipated in late 2015. The current schedule will support crewed missions for NASA and other potential customers by 2016, with a price-per-seat that is projected to be lower than the cost on the Russian Soyuz rocket.

Liberty's approach is to bring together flight-proven elements designed from inception to meet NkASA's human-rating requirement, reducing development time and costs, and providing known, reliable and safe systems. The simple configuration of a solid first stage and liquid second stage lowers the likelihood of failure and enables a flight path with total abort coverage, maximizing survival for the crew in the unlikely event of an anomaly requiring an abort. In addition, the Liberty spacecraft leverages design work performed at NASA Langley Research Center on the composite crew module and launch abort system, for which ATK was a contractor.

"Because Liberty provides a safe and reliable vehicle for the crew, as well as a sustainable business for years to come, it can be a successful commercial business," said Rominger. "Liberty's business case benefits from mature, flight-proven elements that dramatically lower our up-front development costs."

Liberty has a robust and sustainable business case that will create and sustain thousands of jobs across the United States including Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. Its low remaining development cost accelerates the time to market, filling NASA's requirements, and provides a quicker return on investment to outside entities. Liberty's performance of 44,500 pounds to low-earth orbit enables the system to launch both crew and cargo and also serve non-crewed markets including ISS cargo up and down mass, commercial space station servicing, U.S. government satellite launch, and future endeavors.

"We believe that no other offering can match Liberty's safety, spacious spacecraft, customer service and performance," said Rominger. "These traits enable the Liberty business to provide the best commercial space flight experience."

The Liberty spacecraft includes a composite crew module, which ATK built at its Iuka, Miss., facility as part of a NASA risk-reduction program at Langley between 2007 and 2010. As prime contractor, ATK is responsible for the composite crew module, Max Launch Abort System (MLAS), first stage, system integration and ground and mission operations, while Astrium provides the second stage powered by the Vulcain 2 engine and Lockheed Martin provides subsystems and other support.

"Astrium is proud to be part of the ATK Liberty team and to provide our proven second stage, which is powered by the Vulcain 2 engine, as an integral part of this exciting next-generation launch system," said John Schumacher, CEO of Astrium in North America, an EADS North America company. "Initially, we will ship the second stage to the Kennedy Space Center where it will be integrated by the skilled workforce there. However, once Liberty's business base is established in the U.S. market, we envisage Liberty upper stage manufacturing in the United States."

Lockheed Martin is providing crew interface systems design, subsystem selection, assembly, integration and mission operations support for the Liberty spacecraft. These subsystems could include avionics, guidance navigation and control, propulsion systems, environmental control system, docking system and other components.

"Combining Lockheed Martin's and ATK's decades of human spaceflight experience to create the Liberty space vehicle will help ensure America's crew access to the International Space Station - sooner rather than later," said Scott Norris, Lockheed Martin Lead, Liberty Program. "We look forward to our role supporting Liberty as it delivers on a highly-effective cost solution for NASA crew and for commercial missions."

The program has optimized and streamlined development, fabrication and mission operations while ensuring the utmost safety to support a commercial marketplace. Liberty also builds upon processes from existing ATK, Astrium and Lockheed Martin commercial programs. ATK's commercial programs include solid rocket motors for various launch vehicles, system integration and composite technology (for crew module, Delta IV, Atlas V and A350 Airbus composite structures) and other commercial products. Astrium builds the Ariane 5, which launches the majority of the world's commercial satellites and is afforded the lowest insurance rates based on its successful track record. Lockheed Martin commercial programs include satellites, the Atlas V and Athena launch vehicles.

"The team's combined best practices enable Liberty to offer affordable access to space, both to serve existing market needs and, critically, to spur the development of new markets that depend on affordable, safe access to space," said Rominger.

Liberty has been developed under a CCDEV-2 unfunded Space Act Agreement (SAA) with the NASA Commercial program office at the Kennedy Space Center. All development to date has been performed on internal funding from ATK and Astrium. Under this SAA, the team has successfully completed four milestones. The next major milestone is a structural test of the second stage tank, to be conducted at Astrium in June.

"Working with the NASA team under the SAA has provided significant benefit to the development of the Liberty crew transportation system," said Rominger.

The Liberty team will be working with NASA centers to further leverage lessons learned, engineering expertise test, launch facilities and mission operations, including Kennedy, Johnson, Marshall, Langley, Glenn, Ames and Stennis.

Additional subcontractors for Liberty include Safran/Snecma, which provides the Vulcain 2 engine; Safran/Labinal out of Salisbury, Md., which provides second stage wiring; L-3 Communications Cincinnati Electronics (L3-CE), which provides first stage, abort and telemetry system avionics, as well as second stage telemetry and abort system integration prior to launch at KSC; and Moog Inc. (NYSE: MOG.A and MOG.B), which provides thrust vector control and propulsion control.

posted 07-04-2012 07:37 PM               

ATK Unveils Unique Liberty Capability

Liberty Transportation Service to have Extended Cargo Configuration

ATK, the company leading development of the Liberty commercial spacecraft, is pleased to announce an expanded crew and cargo capability. The extended cargo configuration will allow the Liberty spacecraft to take full advantage of the launch vehicle lift capacity to transport a pressurized pod (the Liberty Logistics Module or LLM) along with the composite crew module. Based on NASA's 15-foot diameter Multi-Purpose Logistic Module design, the LLM will include a common berthing mechanism and will be capable of transporting up to 5,100 pounds of pressurized cargo. With that capability, the LLM could be used to transport four full-size science racks to the International Space Station — along with a team of scientists to perform the associated science.

"Liberty's expanded service allows us to bring a commercial capability delivering up to seven crew members, 5,000 pounds of pressurized cargo, along with external cargo in a single flight," said Kent Rominger, ATK vice president and program manager for Liberty. "This results in tremendous value since all other commercial offerings would need two flights to accomplish what Liberty does in one."

While on the launch pad and during launch, the LLM will be fully protected by a lightweight shroud. Once the launch vehicle is through the earth's atmosphere, the shroud is no longer needed and will be jettisoned, maximizing payload capability.

The Liberty team is developing a complete commercial space service to revolutionize access to Earth orbit. The system is built on safety, reliability and market value, all essential to the success of the emerging commercial market and NASA. Blending new composite and electronics technology with the lessons learned in 50 years of human spaceflight produces a unique capability for human space flight. Liberty is an international venture dedicated to using the best people, lean production processes and flight-proven hardware to significantly reduce the cost while dramatically increasing the safety of space access.

Liberty is a complete commercial crew system that includes a human-rated composite spacecraft, advanced abort system, a reliable, affordable and capable commercial launch vehicle to low Earth orbit and ground and mission operations, which were all designed from inception to meet NASA's human-rating requirements. Unmanned test flights are planned for 2014 and 2015, followed by the first human flights in 2015 with a Liberty flight crew flying to the International Space Station.

The Liberty system team is located across 10 states including Alabama, California, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Texas, Utah and Virginia. The commercial program is expected to sustain thousands of jobs as well as bring approximately 600 new jobs across the country.

posted 07-17-2012 02:52 PM               

ATK completes final milestone for Liberty under NASA's Commercial Crew Development-2 program

Liberty System Designed to Provide Safe, Reliable Crew Transportation to the ISS

ATK successfully completed the last Liberty space transportation system milestone under the company's unfunded Space Act Agreement (SAA) with NASA for the Commercial Crew Development Program (CCDev-2).

The final milestone under the SAA was a Program Status Review (PSR) for the Liberty system. During the PSR, the Liberty team presented NASA with detailed progress of the program, including integrated master schedule, DAC cycle status, system requirements, software status, flight test plan, system safety review, ground processing certification plan and schedule for initial operation capability.

The CCDev-2 Liberty SAA enabled NASA and the Liberty team to share technical information related to the Liberty transportation system during the preliminary design review phase of the program. ATK completed five milestones and held three Technical Interchange Meetings, all on internal funding.

"It has been a privilege working with NASA to complete the SAA for the Commercial Crew program," said Kent Rominger, ATK vice president and program manager for Liberty. "The feedback we received from the NASA Liberty team has helped further the development of the entire system and we believe ensures the program is on target for Liberty to provide a capable and safe commercial transportation to the International Space Station (ISS) by mid-decade."

Currently, Liberty's schedule includes unmanned test flights in 2014 and 2015, followed by the first crewed flight in late 2015 with Liberty astronauts. Commercial operational flights to take NASA astronauts to the ISS would begin in 2016.

ATK also hosted a Liberty Supplier conference the day following the PSR. This meeting, held in Florida, brought together more than 20 of Liberty's major suppliers to support Liberty development activities.

"Our supply base is critical to Liberty's success as we move quickly through development of the entire system," said Rominger. "As a commercial program we need to ensure we are a strong team in order to provide the best service and grow a profitable business."