Orbital ATK to Augment ULA Rocket for Launch of NASA Solar Probe

Orbital ATK will work with United Launch Alliance on the launch of NASA‘s Solar Probe Plus spacecraft by providing the third stage to augment ULA’s Delta IV Heavy rocket.

The third-stage rocket component features avionics, attitude control and inertial navigation functions and uses the STAR 48BV motor for propulsion, Orbital ATK said Friday.

It will help bring SPP to orbit around the Sun, where the spacecraft will perform its mission to study the charged particles in the outer atmosphere beginning 2018, the company added.

Orbital ATK will develop the third stage at its facilities in Arizona, Maryland and Virginia.

“We are proud to team with ULA to augment the Delta IV Heavy for this very challenging mission,” said Ron Grabe, president of Orbital ATK’s flight systems group.

The company noted it has also provided 12 composite structures for the ULA launch vehicle.