ATK's new vehicle to provide multi-access options

[James Lowe1]

This is about ATK's vehicle and it's not Constellation related, so let's keep it on topic. Thread deleted back.

[marsavian]

Will ATK even bother with this design considering they have the upper stage of Taurus II and that's now being built ? I suspect not.

[edkyle99]

marsavian - 8/3/2008  12:39 PM

Will ATK even bother with this design considering they have the upper stage of Taurus II and that's now being built ? I suspect not.

In January, ATK said that the top three stages (Castor 120/Castor 30/OAM) of its COTS demo booster could fly as a small launch vehicle - something fairly similar to Lockheed's Athena I.  It said that it already had signed three customers for the smaller booster.  I wouldn't be surprised to see this happen, since ATK needs to sell Castor 120 motors.

It also seems likely that an SRB-derived booster could appear in future COTS-type proposals.  It makes sense to try to find ways to leverage the existing SRB production line for other purposes.  

 - Ed Kyle

[Antares]

edkyle99 - 8/3/2008  6:36 PM
It also seems likely that an SRB-derived booster could appear in future COTS-type proposals.  It makes sense to try to find ways to leverage the existing SRB production line for other purposes.

There is significant pressure from NASA HQ to increase its ROI on keeping the STS SRB line open.  ATK has to at least propose it whenever possible.  Else MG will not be pleased.