Alliant Techsystems [ATK] Dec. 15 performed a ground test of a full-scale attitude control motor (ACM) for the launch abort system (LAS) of NASA’s Orion crew exploration vehicle at ATK’s facility in Elkton, Md.
“The ACM test is a major accomplishment for the ATK, Lockheed Martin and the NASA LAS team. We demonstrated a critical technology capability that will enhance crew safety and mission success,” said Bart Olson, Vice President and General Manager, ATK Tactical Propulsion and Controls. “This successful milestone brings Constellation another step closer to flight ready status and demonstrates progress toward improved flight safety for astronauts that is at the core of Constellation Program success.
Early indications are that the Demonstration Motor 1 (DM-1) test was successful and engineers are now analyzing the detailed results. This was the sixth in a series of ground tests of Orion’s attitude control motor system, validating that the thruster system performs as designed.
ATK’s attitude control motor provides steering for the Orion launch abort system which is designed to safely lift and steer the Orion crew module away from the Ares crew launch vehicle in the event of an emergency.
ATK’s attitude control motor consists of a solid propellant gas generator, with eight proportional valves equally spaced around the circumference of the three-foot diameter motor. In combination, the valves can exert up to 7,000 pounds of steering force to the vehicle in any direction upon command from the crew module. The valves are controlled by a redundant power and control system.
ATK is under contract to Lockheed Martin [LMT], NASA’s prime contractor for Orion, to develop the attitude control motor and provide motors for Orion’s development test flights and human rated flights. ATK is also the prime contractor for Ares I first stage.