Goleta, CA-- ATK, a Goleta based lab is playing a key role in NASA's quest to return a human to the moon by the year 2020. Ultra flex solar arrays, a technology developed in ATK laboratories, is considered a high priority in NASA's New Millennium program to promote space travel.

These solar arrays collect sun rays and provide power for spacecraft.
Most recently, ATK's technology helped power NASA's Phoenix Lander that has been on Mars since May 25th. But now, ATK has taken solar arrays to another level with an ultra lightweight version.

On Thursday, the company performed a ground deployment of the solar arrays that measures 17 feet in diameter but are much lighter than the smaller arrays in use today.

Alan Jones, Vice President of ATK Solar Arrays says the newer light weight models allow for more mass into other functional purposes, such as payload and propulsion.

NASA is developing Orion, a spacecraft that is scheduled to go to the moon by the year 2020. NASA plans to stay on the moon for awhile and with the use of ATK's light weight solar arrays they will be able to bring along more equipment and supplies.

In the early 1990's, about 20 employees at ATK began working on the solar array technology in Goleta, today they have close to 140 workers and continue to grow. "A program of this magnitude working with NASA will be a net increase to the local area. So it's a building block growing the business for the future," said Jones.