ATK Develops New Space Vehicle

ATK has unveiled plans for a new space system that could put NASA astronauts back in orbit by 2016 and create jobs in northern Utah.

ATK is trying to land a contract with NASA or others for its new Liberty commercial space transportation system.

Since ending the shuttle program last year, NASA depends on Russian rockets to get its astronauts to the space station. But the agency is looking for companies that can launch astronauts to the space station instead.

ATK says the Liberty program would give the U.S. a new launch capability and end its dependence on Russia. Instead of building rocket motors for NASA vehicles, the company would offer a complete system, including spacecraft, launch vehicle and mission operations.

"Instead of supplying a component to their requirements, we're offering the entire service," Joe Oliva, ATK's director of business development for Liberty, told The Herald Journal of Logan. "In essence, our customers are people who want a ride into space or people who want to put cargo and satellites into space."

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