spacetoday.net: ATK tests five-segment motor

Posted: Sat, Sep 10, 2011, 9:19 AM ET (1319 GMT)
ATK DM3 test of five-segment SRM (ATK)

Alliant Techsystems (ATK) successfully carried out Thursday the third test of a five-segment solid rocket motor that could be used for NASA's Space Launch System and a commercial rocket. The test of Demonstration Motor 3 (DM-3), held Thursday afternoon at ATK's Utah facilities, was primarily intended to test the motor's performance at hot temperatures. ATK officials declared the test a success shortly after the two-minute motor firing. The five-segment motor, based on the four-segment motors used for the Space Shuttle program, was originally intended for the Ares launch vehicles o be developed for the Constellation program. Now, the motor may be used for the Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket that replaced Ares, although no formal design decision has been released by NASA. ATK has also announced plans for a commercial rocket, Liberty, that would use the motor as its first stage.