Neel Mehta
ATKÂ provided its propulsion technology to support the Thursday launch of the Orbital Science-built Antares rocket, which is flying its first commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station.
This flight represents the Antares’ third within the past nine month and is the first to use ATK’s upgraded CASTOR 30B motor, ATK announced Thursday.
CASTOR 30B is designed as an upper stage motor for functioning as a second or third stage, depending on the vehicle configuration.
The company also built the motor to provide 25-percent greater thrust for additional cargo.
