ATK Expands A-Series Small Satellite Bus Product Line
By Jeffrey Hill | July 31, 2012
[Satellite TODAY 07-31-12] ATK has expanded its product line of small, agile satellite buses designed for a wide range of missions in civil, national security and commercial applications in both near-term and long-term markets, the manufacturer announced July 30.
ATK’s expanded A-series product line consists of four basic configurations: the A100, A200, A500 and A700 models, with elevated platforms of A150, A250 and A550, which aim to provide broader capability and flexibility for customers. The products are designed for a range of mission requirements based on mission class, design life, propulsion, pointing accuracy, payload mass and launch compatibility.
ATK added that the A series is compatible with most launch vehicles.
“Our expanded family of space platforms will enable us to capitalize on the up-swing we expect to see in a number of our targeted market segments. Our diversified, balanced approach across multiple markets will take best advantage of the increase in microsat missions, continued demand for small, rapidly-developed spacecraft and the game-changing, on-orbit satellite servicing market,” ATK Space Systems Vice President and General Manager Tom Wilson said in a statement.
The ATK A100 is ATK’s small bus offering for microsats and nanosats. The ATK A200 series features ATK’s Responsive Space Modular Bus (RSMB), which aims to provide considerable power, precision pointing and significant data throughput for sophisticated military and scientific payloads. The ATK A500 series offers a High End Modular Bus (HEMB) that allows for increased payload complexity and size, as well as extended life. The HEMB is the platform selected for the DARPA Phoenix mission to conduct on-orbit satellite servicing and repurposing. The ATK A700 series bus is the largest mission class and is the foundation of the ViviSat Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV).