Mary-Louise Hoffman
Orbital ATK aims to build a rocket technology offering for the U.S. Air Force as part of the company’s push into the national security satellite market, Reuters reported Tuesday.
Irene Klotz writes John Steinmeyer, director of business development at Orbital ATK, said at the Space Congress held Tuesday in Florida the company would base its “Next Generation Launcher” on solid-rocket boosters that were used on NASA’s space shuttle fleet.
The report said Orbital ATK also seeks to use Blue Origin-built technology for the second stage of the planned launcher system.
Boeing and Lockheed Martin‘s joint venture United Launch Alliance and Elon Musk’s SpaceX are currently the only companies certified by the Defense Department to help conduct national security-related launches, according to Klotz’ article.
“We’re working cooperatively with the Air Force to make sure there’s room for three players,” Steinmeryer was quoted as saying by Reuters.
