ATK [ATK] said yesterday it developed an expanded crew and cargo capability called the Liberty Logistics Module (LLM) for its Liberty commercial spacecraft.
The LLM will include a common berthing mechanism and will be capable of transporting up to 5,100 pounds of pressurized cargo. With that capability, the LLM could be used to transport four full-sized science racks to the International Space Station (ISS), along with a team of scientists to perform the associated science, the company said in a statement.
The LLM is based on NASA’s 15-foot diameter Multi-Purpose Logistics Module design.
The LLM will be fully protected by a lightweight shroud while on the launch pad and during launch. Once the launch vehicle is through the earth’s atmosphere, the shroud will be jettisoned, maximizing payload capability.
“Liberty’s expanded service allows us to bring a commercial capability delivering up to seven crew members, 5,000 pounds of pressurized cargo, along with external cargo in a single flight,” ATK Vice President and Liberty Program Manager Kent Rominger said in a statement.
ATK is developing Liberty as a complete commercial space vehicle to revolutionize access to Earth orbit, the company said.
ATK is the team lead with Astrium, a subsidiary of European Aeronautic, Defence and Space Co., and Lockheed Martin [LMT] serving as major subcontractors. ATK spokeswoman Trina Patterson said Astrium will provide the second stage of the Liberty launch vehicle, which is based on the liquid-fueled cryogenic core of the Ariane 5 vehicle powered by the Safran-built Vulcain 2 engine.
Lockheed Martin will provide crew interface systems design, subsystem selection, assembly, integration and mission operations support. Subsystems could include avionics; guidance, navigation and control; propulsion systems; environmental control systems; docking systems and other components.
Liberty is a complete commercial crew system that includes a human-rated composite spacecraft, advanced abort system and a reliable, affordable and capable commercial launch vehicle.
ATK plans unmanned test flights for 2014 and 2015, followed by the first human flights in 2015 with a Liberty flight crew flying to the International Space Station.
Additional Liberty subcontractors include: Safran; Moog Inc. [MOG.A]; Honeywell [HON]; Astrotech Space Operations; GenCorp Inc.-subsidiary Aerojet [GY]; Reynolds, Smith and Hills; Teledyne Brown; 3Dynamics Concepts, Inc.; Hamilton Sundstrand [UTX] and L-3 [LLL].
ATK said Monday it assembled a team to provide human certification advice to Liberty in the absence of specific government human certification standards (Defense Daily, July 3).