ATK‘s (NYSE: ATK) launch systems company and L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) have individually won a $125 million contract modification 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 by March 17, 2015.
NASA 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 by 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.
