Photos: ATK’s Liberty Rocket & Private Space Capsule

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Liberty Rocket Composite Crew Capsule

Credit: ATK

Rocket manufacturer ATK will use a composite space capsule as the vehicle to launch atop its new Liberty rocket. The first manned flight is set for 2015.

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Liberty Rocket Concept for Commercial Launches

Credit: ATK

The new Liberty launch vehicle, which draws on parts of NASA's cancelled Ares I rocket and Europe's Ariane 5 rocket, will use existing infrastructure at Kennedy Space Center--including, possibly, the mobile launch platform shown in this illustration.

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Liberty Rocket Launches Toward Space

Credit: ATK

An artist's illustration of ATK's new Liberty rocket launching a private space capsule into low-Earth orbit.

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ATK's New Manned Space Capsule

Credit: ATK

The Liberty Spacecraft includes a Composite Crew Module, which ATK built at its composite facility in Iuka, Mississippi.

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ATK Liberty Rocket Test in DM-3

Credit: ATK

The five-segment solid rocket motor that comprises Liberty’s first stage has successfully completed three static tests at ATK’s facility in Promontory, Utah.

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Liberty Rocket Launches Toward Space

Credit: ATK

An artist's illustration of ATK's new Liberty rocket launching a private space capsule into low-Earth orbit.

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Liberty Launch System's New Cargo Pod

Credit: PRNewsFoto/ATK

The private Liberty launch system will include a pressurized pod that can carry 5,100 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station.

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Liberty Rocket Graphic By ATK and Astrium

Credit: ATK

The Liberty launch vehicle combines the proven systems from NASA's space shuttle fleet and Europe's Ariane 5 expendable rocket. This graphic shows how they combine into the new ATK-Astrium Liberty rocket.

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Ariane 5 Rocket Launch

Credit: Astrium

The Ariane 5, a component of the new Liberty rocket, has had 47 consecutive successful launches to date.

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Installing Insulation in the New Liberty Rocket

Credit: ATK

The Liberty first stage incorporates advanced new materials in the insulation and liner, resulting in higher performance, ATK officials say.

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Ariane 5's Vulcain Engine

Credit: Safran/Snecma

The Vulcain 2, built by Safran/Snecma, serves as the second stage engine for ATK's Liberty rocket.

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ATK's Liberty Uses Ariane 5 Rocket Core Stage

Credit: Astrium

The core stage of the Ariane 5 serves as the second stage for the Liberty system.

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ATK's Liberty Rocket Avionics Lab

Credit: ATK

Liberty’s first stage avionics ring is being built at ATK;s facility in Clearfield, Utah.

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Liberty Rocket Second Stage Equipment Bay

Credit: Astrium

The vehicle equipment bay houses the avionics for the second stage of the Liberty launch vehicle.

Photos: ATK’s Liberty Rocket & Private Spaceship

Liberty Rocket Composite Crew Capsule

Liberty Rocket Concept for Commercial Launches

Liberty Rocket Launches Toward Space

ATK's New Manned Space Capsule

ATK Liberty Rocket Test in DM-3

Liberty Rocket Launches Toward Space

Liberty Launch System's New Cargo Pod

Liberty Rocket Graphic By ATK and Astrium

Ariane 5 Rocket Launch

Installing Insulation in the New Liberty Rocket

Ariane 5's Vulcain Engine

ATK's Liberty Uses Ariane 5 Rocket Core Stage

ATK's Liberty Rocket Avionics Lab

Liberty Rocket Second Stage Equipment Bay

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