[May 23, 2013] ATK Finalizes U.S.-Based Testing of High Performance Green Propulsion Thruster Technology for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Tweet May 23, 2013 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- ATK, a rocket motor producer, has completed a U.S.-based testing of the High Performance Green Propulsion (HPGP) thruster technology for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). According to a release, the testing was conducted at ATK Defense Group's test facility in Elkton, Md., in April 2013. The ATK test facility is capable of assessing high-fidelity performance and operability features of the HPGP thruster technology, which is intended to be used for a range of attitude control/space maneuverability propulsion. HPGP is a green propulsion alternative that has been flight-proven in space to provide increased performance over traditional hydrazine propulsion technology. "The collaboration of NASA GSFC and ATK to validate HPGP thruster technology enables the development of green propellant options, which hold promise for demonstrating higher performance, cost-effectiveness and the reduction of health and safety impacts to personnel and the environment," said Dr. Christyl Johnson, NASA GSFC Deputy Director for Technology and Research Investments. "We are pleased to support NASA GSFC in the maturation process of the HPGP thruster technology in the U.S.," said Cary Ralston, vice president and general manager of ATK's Missile Products division. "We are dedicated to making certain our products deliver mission-assured performance, improved safety and reduced life-cycle cost." ATK is licensed in the U.S. to sell HPGP thrusters and fuel originally developed by ECAPS, a subsidiary of the Swedish Space Corp. (SSC). More company information, www.atk.com ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]