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

(ATK) – Test is a Major Milestone for ATK, NASA on Ares I Program

PROMONTORY, Utah — Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) Space Systems and NASA will make history on August 25 as the new Ares I five-segment first stage is tested, marking the start of a new era of space exploration.

Ares 1

What:   Horizontal ground test firing of Ares I first stage
When:   Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Time:   1 p.m. MDT
Where:  ATK Space Systems facility in Promontory, Utah

Test Objectives/Background:

• A total of 46 design objectives will be measured through 650 instrument channels
• The Ares I design is based on the design of the space shuttle’s four-segment booster
• The addition of the fifth segment will increase the maximum thrust performance to approximately 3.6 million pounds
• The first stage of Ares I has been under development since 2005, it measures 12 feet in diameter and 154 feet in length.
• The cases have previously flown on the space shuttle, collectively launching 48 missions–including STS-1.