August 11, 2014
ATK hosted U.S. Rep. Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) at its
Beltsville, Maryland facility for a tour and meeting
with senior executives. Edwards and ATK executives
discussed growth in products and services at the
Beltsville facility that support the congresswoman’s
initiatives to invest in advanced manufacturing jobs.
Edwards is also a strong champion of Maryland’s
aerospace industry and currently serves as the ranking
member on the Space & Aeronautics Subcommittee, one of
five subcommittees on the House Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology.
ATK’s Space Systems Division (SSD), a division of the
company’s Aerospace Group, provides a broad portfolio of
products and services in Beltsville that include manned
and robotic satellite servicing capabilities, integrated
small satellite systems, world-class multidisciplinary
engineering services, advanced signals and cyber
operations along with market-leading integrated thermal
control technology. ATK’s integrated thermal control
systems are used by almost all U.S. government and
commercial satellites.
In addition to critical engineering support to NASA
Goddard Space Flight Center’s Satellite Servicing
Capabilities Office (SSCO) and participation in the
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA)
Phoenix satellite servicing mission, ATK SSD has also
created a game-changing new commercial space market:
robotic on-orbit satellite servicing. The centerpiece of
the service is the ATK-designed Mission Extension
Vehicle (MEV) which docks with an orbiting satellite and
serves as the propulsion and attitude control systems.
This service is designed to extend the life of
commercial communication and other satellites to provide
satellite owners with more value for their investments.
“We support Congresswoman Edwards in highlighting the
importance of creating good, high-paying manufacturing
jobs,” said Tom Wilson, vice president and general
manager of ATK’s Space Systems Division. “The
opportunities we see for new business, especially from
our innovative satellite servicing operation, will help
us execute our strategic plan for growth in the
aerospace market.”
During her visit, Edwards toured ATK’s Integrated
Thermal Systems (ITS) plant and the Robotic Rendezvous
and Proximity Operations (RPO) Lab. The ITS
manufacturing facility annually produces over 4,000 heat
pipes and satellite panel structures along with other
thermal control hardware for domestic and international
space programs.
“ATK’s Space Systems facilities represent the cutting
edge of our advanced manufacturing sector at work. In
order to build on the work being done by companies like
ATK, Congress must make critical investments in our
workers and businesses here at home, “said Rep. Edwards.
“We must advance tax incentives to create jobs in
America and invest in research and development. That is
why House Democrats have introduced the “Middle Class
Jumpstart” agenda to help foster the best conditions for
our businesses to produce, innovate and create jobs here
in the U.S.”
The ATK RPO lab demonstrates
satellite life extension technology with robotic and
air-bearing testbeds, simulated satellite RPO and
docking maneuvers. The facility also supports ATK’s
recently introduced commercial satellite life extension
joint venture, ViviSat. ATK has a long history of
success in satellite servicing,
spanning both military and civil sectors that include
the NASA Hubble Space Telescope repair missions and the
ongoing NASA Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) at the
International Space Station.
