From the Office of Utah Congressman Jim Matheson

MATHESON NEWS
Second Congressional District

For Further Information
Alyson Heyrend: (801) 455-5593 (cell)
www.house.gov/matheson

September 19, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matheson Says Space Plan Features Utah Rocket Booster

ATK Will Help Launch Next Space Vehicles

Washington DC-Congressman Jim Matheson said NASA's future plans for the next generation of spacecraft include use of the solid rocket booster-made by Utah's ATK Thiokol-as the launch vehicle.  NASA briefed senior White House officials and Congress on details last week.

NASA has been working intensely since spring on an exploration plan that includes building a blunt body crew capsule and launchers built from major space shuttle components including the main engines, solid rocket boosters and massive external fuel tanks.

"The dedicated team at ATK Thiokol has worked tirelessly to help move the US space program forward. As a member of the House Science Committee, I've seen their skill, knowledge and expertise close up and I think the ATK team is a critical part of NASA's future success," said Matheson.

NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle is expected to cost $5.5 billion to develop, and the Crew Launch Vehicle another $4.5 billion.  The heavy-lift launcher would be capable of lofting 125 metric tons of payload. The plan envisions beginning a lunar exploration campaign in 2018 by landing four astronauts on the Moon for a 7-day stay.

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Alyson Heyrend
Communications Director
240 East Morris Ave. #235
South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 486-1236 (phone)
(801) 455-5593 (cell)
(801) 486-1417 (fax)