ATK, L3 Each Win $125M for AF Sounding Rocket Program

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration photo

ATK‘s (NYSE: ATK) launch systems company and L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) have individually won a $125 million contract modificationTypes: Administrative Change : A unilateral contract change that does not affect the contractual rights of the parties. Change order: A written order, signed byBudget Year the COContracting Officer or Change Order, directing that the contractor to make a change authorized byBudget Year the "changes" clause. Not issued without contractor consent. to continue work on a U.S. Air Force sounding rocket program.

The Defense Department said ATK’s work in Corrine, Utah and L-3′s work in Orlando, Fla. is scheduled to finish byBudget Year March 17, 2015.

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration says sounding rockets are used to collect scientific data and conduct engineering tests for 30-minute sessions each.

After launch, a scientific payload separates from the rocket and conducts an experiment in space, then re-enters Earth’s atmosphere byBudget Year parachute.

Experiments last between 5 and 20 minutes at altitudes of between 30 and 800 miles, the space agency says.

ATK recently provided composite and launch technologies for a National Reconnaissance Office rocket.