ULA’s Atlas 5 launch vehicle, 551 configuration. Photo: ULA

[Via Satellite 09-23-2015] United Launch Alliance (ULA) has entered a long-term strategic partnership with Orbital ATK as its sole provider of Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) for the Atlas 5 and Vulcan launch vehicles. Orbital ATK is investing in the design, development and qualification of two new rocket motors with design similarities expecting to lower the cost of launch. Orbital ATK is spearheading SRB development immediately, with introduction on ULA’s Atlas 5 slated for late 2018, followed by Vulcan in mid-2019.

Orbital ATK has supplied ULA with composite structures, nozzles, propellant tanks, and booster separation motors for the current versions of the Delta 4 and Atlas 5 rockets. Aerojet Rocketdyne has supplied SRBs for the Atlas 5 in the past. In addition to Orbital ATK supporting Atlas 5 and Vulcan launch vehicles, the company’s SRBs will be commercially available to other customers.