ATK Combines Space Operations Into Single Unit

[Satellite Today – 6-10-08] Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) has joined its Launch Systems and Space Systems groups into a single business unit, the company announced June 10.
    Dubbed the Space Systems group, the organization will be the world’s largest solid rocket launch systems provider as well as a leading manufacturer of components and subsystems for satellites and spacecraft. The group will have about 6,600 employees and expected fiscal year 2009 revenues of more than $1.6 billion. Carl Marchetto, president of the current Space Systems group, will lead the business.
    The move comes about a month after the Canadian government rejected a bid by ATK to acquire the space businesses of MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. If the deal had been approved, ATK had planned to combine the businesses under the name ATK Space Systems with Marchetto as president.
    Ron Dittemore, who has served as the president of the Launch Systems group,
will become senior vice president of strategic partnerships and oversee ATK’s efforts in support of NASA‘s space exploration vision.