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ATK (NYSE: ATK) addressed complexity and cost issues in its latest avionics and control test for a NASA program aimed at sending astronauts and cargo beyond Earth’s orbit.
Flight Control Test 2, the second in a series of development tests for the Space Launch System, occurred Jan. 30 at ATK’s testing laboratory in Promontory, Utah, ATK said Friday.
FCT-2 focused on installing new electronic support equipment based off a design intended for testing other avionics subsystems in other locations.
Fred Brasfield, vice president for ATK’s next-generation booster project, said the aerospace and defense contractor worked with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama to design and develop both the system and interface.
L-3 Communications‘ Cincinnati electronics business provided avionics boxes and IEC Electronics Co.-owned Southern California Braiding provided cable harnesses for the test.
“Our suppliers have been vital to the success of this program,” Brasfield said. “They will remain key contributors through the SLS flight test program.”
