Magellan Aerospace Black Brant Rocket Successfully Launched

TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2014 /CNW/ - A Magellan Aerospace ("Magellan") Black Brant IX rocket was successfully launched from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia in the early morning of 28 August 2014 at 5:40 a.m.  The launch mission was a test of a new sub-payload deployment method for suborbital rockets and also included the release of vapor tracers in space.   The launch and vapor tracers, which help measure the wind in the transition region between the Earth's atmosphere and space, could be seen from as far away as western Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, West Virginia, and Myrtle Beach.

The Black Brant was launched by Orbital Sciences Corporation under contract from the NASA Sounding Rockets Program Office.

The Magellan facility in Winnipeg, MB is a pioneer in Canada's space industry and has been designing and manufacturing Black Brant sounding rockets for more than 50 years.  The Black Brant is a solid propellant rocket system available in single or multistage configurations and is one of the most successful sounding rockets ever built.  Black Brant rockets carry instrumentation into suborbital flight to take measurements and perform scientific experiments.

The first launch of a Magellan designed and built Black Brant took place on 15 June 1962 at Wallops Island, Virginia.  To date, over 1,000 Black Brant rockets have been launched from every continent other than Antarctica, with a vehicle success rate of over 98%.  It is the most reliable, cost-effective and quick system for space physics, atmospheric chemistry, astronomy, and microgravity in the world.

About Magellan Aerospace

Magellan Aerospace is a global, integrated aerospace company that provides complex assemblies and systems solutions to aircraft and engine manufacturers, and defence and space agencies worldwide. Magellan designs, engineers, and manufactures aeroengine and aerostructure assemblies and components for aerospace markets, advanced products for military and space markets, industrial power generation, and specialty products. Magellan is a public company whose shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MAL), with operating units throughout Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Poland.

SOURCE: Magellan Aerospace Corporation

Mr. Donald J. Boitson, Vice President and General Manager, Magellan Aerospace, Winnipeg, Ph. 204 296 1130; Mr. Dave T. O'Connor, Division Manager, Defence and Space Products, Magellan Aerospace, Winnipeg, Ph. 204 799 5605