Category Archives: Liberty

ATK the company leading development of the Liberty commercial spacecraft, is pleased to announce an expanded crew and cargo capability. The extended cargo configuration will allow the Liberty spacecraft to take full advantage of the launch vehicle lift capacity to transport a pressurized pod (the Liberty Logistics Module or LLM) along with the composite crew module. Based on NASA's 15-foot diameter Multi-Purpose Logistic Module design, the LLM will include a common berthing mechanism and will be capable of transporting up to 5,100 pounds of pressurized cargo. With that capability, the LLM could be used to transport four full-size science racks to the International Space Station - along with a team of scientists to perform the associated science.

"Liberty's expanded service allows us to bring a commercial capability delivering up to seven crew members, 5,000 pounds of pressurized cargo, along with external cargo in a single flight," said Kent Rominger, ATK vice president and program manager for Liberty. "This results in tremendous value since all other commercial offerings would need two flights to accomplish what Liberty does in one."

While on the launch pad and during launch, the LLM will be fully protected by a lightweight shroud. Once the launch vehicle is through the earth's atmosphere, the shroud is no longer needed and will be jettisoned, maximizing payload capability.

The Liberty team is developing a complete commercial space service to revolutionize access to Earth orbit. The system is built on safety, reliability and market value, all essential to the success of the emerging commercial market and NASA. Blending new composite and electronics technology with the lessons learned in 50 years of human spaceflight produces a unique capability for human space flight. Liberty is an international venture dedicated to using the best people, lean production processes and flight-proven hardware to significantly reduce the cost while dramatically increasing the safety of space access.

Liberty is a complete commercial crew system that includes a human-rated composite spacecraft, advanced abort system, a reliable, affordable and capable commercial launch vehicle to low Earth orbit and ground and mission operations, which were all designed from inception to meet NASA's human-rating requirements. Unmanned test flights are planned for 2014 and 2015, followed by the first human flights in 2015 with a Liberty flight crew flying to the International Space Station.

ATK is the team lead, with Astrium and Lockheed Martin serving as major subcomponent providers. Additional subcontractors for Liberty include Safran, Moog Inc., Honeywell, Astrotech Space Operations (ASTC), Aerojet, Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Teledyne Brown, 3Dynamic Concepts, Inc, Hamilton Sundstrand, L-3 Cincinnati Electronics and Teledyne Brown.

The Liberty system team is located across 10 states including Alabama, California, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Texas, Utah and Virginia. The commercial program is expected to sustain thousands of jobs as well as bring approximately 600 new jobs across the country.

More information on the Liberty Transportation Service can be found at http://www.libertyspace.us.

ATK is an aerospace, defense, and commercial products company with operations in 22 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com.

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ATK Unveils Liberty Transportation Service to have Extended Cargo Configuration

ARLINGTON, Va., July 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --ATK (ATK), the company leading development of the Liberty commercial spacecraft, is pleased to announce an expanded crew and cargo capability. The extended cargo configuration will allow the Liberty spacecraft to take full advantage of the launch vehicle lift capacity to transport a pressurized pod (the Liberty Logistics Module or LLM) along with the composite crew module. Based on NASA's 15-foot diameter Multi-Purpose Logistic Module design, the LLM will include a common berthing mechanism and will be capable of transporting up to 5,100 pounds of pressurized cargo. With that capability, the LLM could be used to transport four full-size science racks to the International Space Station along with a team of scientists to perform the associated science.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120703/CG34702)

"Liberty's expanded service allows us to bring a commercial capability delivering up to seven crew members, 5,000 pounds of pressurized cargo, along with external cargo in a single flight," said Kent Rominger, ATK vice president and program manager for Liberty. "This results in tremendous value since all other commercial offerings would need two flights to accomplish what Liberty does in one."

While on the launch pad and during launch, the LLM will be fully protected by a lightweight shroud. Once the launch vehicle is through the earth's atmosphere, the shroud is no longer needed and will be jettisoned, maximizing payload capability.

The Liberty team is developing a complete commercial space service to revolutionize access to Earth orbit. The system is built on safety, reliability and market value, all essential to the success of the emerging commercial market and NASA. Blending new composite and electronics technology with the lessons learned in 50 years of human spaceflight produces a unique capability for human space flight. Liberty is an international venture dedicated to using the best people, lean production processes and flight-proven hardware to significantly reduce the cost while dramatically increasing the safety of space access.

Liberty is a complete commercial crew system that includes a human-rated composite spacecraft, advanced abort system, a reliable, affordable and capable commercial launch vehicle to low Earth orbit and ground and mission operations, which were all designed from inception to meet NASA's human-rating requirements.Unmanned test flights are planned for 2014 and 2015, followed by the first human flights in 2015 with a Liberty flight crew flying to the International Space Station.

ATK is the team lead, with Astrium and Lockheed Martin serving as major subcomponent providers. Additional subcontractors for Liberty include Safran, Moog Inc., Honeywell, Astrotech Space Operations (ASTC), Aerojet, Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Teledyne Brown, 3Dynamic Concepts, Inc, Hamilton Sundstrand, L-3 Cincinnati Electronics and Teledyne Brown.

The Liberty system team is located across 10 states including Alabama, California, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Texas, Utah and Virginia. The commercial program is expected to sustain thousands of jobs as well as bring approximately 600 new jobs across the country.

More information on the Liberty Transportation Service can be found at http://www.libertyspace.us.

ATK is an aerospace, defense, and commercial products company with operations in 22 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com.

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ATK Unveils Unique Liberty Capability

SALT LAKE CITY, July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --ATK (ATK) and the Liberty program announced an independent assessment team and their first tasking to advise the company on development of its commercial human certification plan for the Liberty system, which includes the launch vehicle, upper stage, abort system, composite spacecraft, ground and mission operations, crew and passenger training and a test flight crew.

The FAA is authorized by Congress to regulate commercial human spaceflight. Over the next few years, the FAA will use a phased approach to regulating the crew and passenger safety of the emerging commercial human spaceflight industry. In the meantime, and in the absence of specific government human certification standards, the developers themselves must look to NASA and International Partner human spaceflight best practices and lessons learned to develop their own design and operations criteria. Developing the Liberty-specific commercial human certification plan early in the program ensures the system will be designed from the outset to ensure flight crew and passenger safety.

Liberty's independent assessment team is led by Bryan O'Connor with team members Ken Bowersox, Kevin Leclaire and Alain Souchier. This team brings former space shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) commanders together with experts in NASA Safety and Mission Assurance, commercial space business and cryogenic engine development.

"As we build Liberty using streamlined and affordablecommercial approaches, we intend tomaintain asteady emphasis on crew safety, which is why we brought together top talent for the Liberty independent assessment team," said Kent Rominger, ATK vice president and program manager for Liberty. "We have one of the best teams whose background and expertise will ensure Liberty is safe and reliable for our commercial customers."

Leading the Liberty independent assessment team, O'Connor brings a strong background in flight test, program management, safety and mission assurance (SM&A). As a former two-time shuttle astronaut and United States Marine Corps test pilot he has served in various high-profile positions over his career including assistant program manager for the Marine AV-8 Harrier and NASA Space Shuttle Programs, NASA's first chairman of the Space Flight Safety Panel that was established to support return-to-flight design re-certification. During O'Connor's tenure at NASA Headquarters he served as director of the Space Station Redesign Team, Space Shuttle Program director, and later as the chief of Safety and Mission Assurance where he was responsible for the safety, reliability, maintainability and quality assurance of all NASA programs.

"I am looking forward to working with ATK on their commercial human certification plan for Liberty," said O'Connor. "It is extremely important to get this plan right. Fortunately, they have a head start because all of Liberty's subsystems were originally designed to be human-rated."

Bowersox is also a former navy test pilot and shuttle astronaut with four shuttle missions and one ISS mission, which included Russia Soyuz training and a return via the Soyuz capsule. He served as the Expedition-6 crew commander for over five months aboard the International Space Station. During his tenure at NASA he held a variety of assignments, notably chief of the Astronaut Office Safety Branch and chairman of the Spaceflight Safety Panel. Bowersox will oversee crew training and the commercial human certification plan for the Liberty program.

Leclaire brings extensive experience in starting and developing space-related companies. He has provided management consulting services to clients involved in the space, satellite and technology sectors and was previously a senior associate at the preeminent venture capital firm that focused on space-related companies. Leclaire will oversee the business aspects of the Liberty program with a focus on ensuring a solid business case without compromising crew safety.

Souchier was the program manager for the design of the stage propulsion systems on the Ariane 5 central core, the technical manager over the engineering department that developed the Vulcain Ariane 5 cryogenic engine and the stage associated propulsion systems, and Snecma's future programs director. During his 30-year career, he has been honored with a bronze and silver medal from the French space agency (CNET). Souchier will ensure all aspects of the Vulcain 2 engine upgrades for air start will be effectively implemented.

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ATK Announces Independent Assessment Team for Liberty

TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. (Liberty Star or the Company) (LBSR: OTCBB) is pleased to announce that the Company has received updated, geophysical ZTEM electromagnetic imagery of the south block of its Big Chunk Super Project (BCSP) in southeastern Alaska.

GEOTECH LTD. Airborne Geophysical Surveys delivered the updated data comprising:

Comments James Briscoe, Liberty Stars CEO and Chief Geologist, ZTEM technology has improved since 2009 when the processed survey was first presented to us. We applaud and appreciate Geotechs efforts to deliver to us an updated detailed view of our south block. We will use this information to draw detailed plans for drilling at the Big Chunk as soon as possible.

James A. Briscoe James A. Briscoe, Professional Geologist, AZ CA CEO/Chief Geologist Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp.

Read Your Invitation and RSVP to Briscoes Whirlwind Trip, July 5-18 http://www.libertystaruranium.com/ja-briscoe-whirlwind-trip/

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Liberty Star Receives Updated ZTEM, South Block Big Chunk, Alaska

UpdatedJun 30, 2012 8:34 PM ET

With five days to practice and rest since a disappointing loss in their previous game, the New York Liberty were fired up against the Seattle Storm.

Essence Carson scored 22 points and Cappie Pondexter had 20 to lead the Liberty to a 77-59 victory over the Storm on Saturday.

''It was a big win, a much-needed win,'' Pondexter said. ''We were really striving to win. ... I think having a week off and getting our legs refreshed and our minds refocused, we were able to come out and win.''

Pondexter and Carson combined to shoot 15 for 30 from the field and 10 for 12 from the free-throw line. Pondexter also had a season-high seven rebounds and four assists.

The Liberty (5-9) hadn't played since a 10-point loss to Atlanta on Sunday, New York's fourth loss in five games.

''I'm sure she had in her mind she wanted to win today,'' Pondexter said of Carson. ''I did as well, especially coming off that last performance against Atlanta. We got back in the gym and worked on things, just prepared for today.''

DeMya Walker added 11 points for the Liberty, who lost leading rebounder Kia Vaughn to a concussion late in the second quarter. She did not return and finished with eight points and one rebound.

The Liberty were already without second-leading scorer and rebounder Plenette Pierson (strained left knee), who missed her fourth straight game and is not expected back until after the Olympic break.

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Liberty 77, Storm 59

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Essence Carson scored 22 points and Cappie Pondexter had 20 to lead the New York Liberty to a 77-59 victory over the Seattle Storm on Saturday.

DeMya Walker added 11 points for New York (5-9), who had lost four of its previous five.

Ann Wauters and Tina Thompson scored 10 points each for Seattle (6-8), which snapped a five-game winning streak. The Storm shot just 32 percent from the field (19-for-59), including 4-for-22 on three-pointers.

Sue Bird's third third-pointer of the game -- and first since about 4 minutes into the game -- capped a 7-1 run that pulled the Storm to 56-48 heading to the fourth quarter.

However, Pondexter and Kara Braxton had consecutive layups to restore the Liberty's double-digit lead, 65-52, with 6:17 to go. Seattle got no closer than 10 again.

Nicole Powell's jumper with less than 43 seconds to go closed the scoring and gave New York its largest lead of the game.

Carson had a bank shot and Pondexter made a layup in the opening minute of the third quarter to extend the Liberty's eight-point halftime lead to 35-23.

Thompson's layup cut the lead to 39-32 with 7:05 left in the period, but New York scored the next six points and Pondexter's 3 with 4 minutes to go pushed the Liberty's advantage to 50-36.

The Liberty's second 9-0 run of the game, started by Carson's two free throws with just more than a minute remaining in the first quarter and capped by Kia Vaughn's layup with 8 minutes to go in the half, gave them a 20-12 lead.

Camille Little's three-point play pulled Seattle to 24-21 near the midpoint of the second quarter, but Pondexter followed with a three-pointer and Vaughn had a turnaround jumper to push the Liberty's lead to eight with 3 minutes to go in the period.

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Carson, Pondexter help carry Liberty past Storm

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- With five days to practice and rest since a disappointing loss in their previous game, the New York Liberty were fired up against the Seattle Storm.

Essence Carson scored 22 points and Cappie Pondexter had 20 to lead the Liberty to a 77-59 victory over the Storm on Saturday.

''It was a big win, a much-needed win,'' Pondexter said. ''We were really striving to win. ... I think having a week off and getting our legs refreshed and our minds refocused, we were able to come out and win.''

Pondexter and Carson combined to shoot 15 for 30 from the field and 10 for 12 from the free-throw line. Pondexter also had a season-high seven rebounds and four assists.

The Liberty (5-9) hadn't played since a 10-point loss to Atlanta on Sunday, New York's fourth loss in five games.

''I'm sure she had in her mind she wanted to win today,'' Pondexter said of Carson. ''I did as well, especially coming off that last performance against Atlanta. We got back in the gym and worked on things, just prepared for today.''

DeMya Walker added 11 points for the Liberty, who lost leading rebounder Kia Vaughn to a concussion late in the second quarter. She did not return and finished with eight points and one rebound.

The Liberty were already without second-leading scorer and rebounder Plenette Pierson (strained left knee), who missed her fourth straight game and is not expected back until after the Olympic break.

''It's a big loss,'' Carson said of Vaughn. ''But as you saw today, when one goes down everyone's willing to step up. When Plenette went down, we had a lot of people step up. As long as we continue to pick up the slack we'll be all right. And when they come back, we'll be even stronger.''

Ann Wauters and Tina Thompson scored 10 points each for Seattle (6-8), which snapped a five-game winning streak. The Storm shot just 32 percent from the field (19 for 59), including 4 for 22 on 3-pointers. They also committed 25 turnovers - their most since having 27 in the season opener against Los Angeles - which led to 20 points for the Liberty.

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Carson, Pondexter lead Liberty past Storm

With five days to practice and rest since a disappointing loss in their previous game, the Liberty were fired up against the Seattle Storm.

Essence Carson scored 22 points and Cappie Pondexter had 20 to lead the Liberty to a 77-59 victory over the Storm on Saturday at the Prudential Center.

It was a big win, a much-needed win, Pondexter said. We were really striving to win. ... I think having a week off and getting our legs refreshed and our minds refocused, we were able to come out and win.

Pondexter and Carson combined to shoot 15 for 30 from the field and 10 for 12 from the free-throw line. Pondexter also had a season-high seven rebounds and four assists.

The Liberty (5-9) hadnt played since a 10-point loss to Atlanta on Sunday, which was their fourth loss in five games.

Im sure she had in her mind she wanted to win today, Pondexter said of Carson. I did as well, especially coming off that last performance against Atlanta. We got back in the gym and worked on things, just prepared for today.

DeMya Walker added 11 points for the Liberty, who lost leading rebounder Kia Vaughn to a concussion late in the second quarter. She did not return and finished with eight points and one rebound.

The Liberty already were without second-leading scorer and rebounder Plenette Pierson (strained left knee), who missed her fourth straight game and is not expected back until after the Olympic break.

Its a big loss, Carson said of Vaughn. But as you saw today, when one goes down everyones willing to step up. When Plenette went down, we had a lot of people step up. As long as we continue to pick up the slack well be all right. And when they come back, well be even stronger.

Ann Wauters and Tina Thompson scored 10 points each for Seattle (6-8), which snapped a five-game winning streak. The Storm shot just 32 percent from the field (19 for 59), including 4 for 22 on 3-pointers. They also committed 25 turnovers their most since having 27 in the season opener against Los Angeles which led to 20 points for the Liberty.

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Liberty roll past Storm

LIBERTY -- With a name like Liberty, youd expect a town to shine the fire engines for the Fourth of July parade, trot out the mayor in an Uncle Sam hat and blow the sky apart with more fireworks than they set off at Disney World.

But they wont. Not on Wednesday, anyway. This Randolph County town, with the states most patriotic name, will throw its America party on Saturday three days late.

You can get half-off on fireworks, explained Roger Davis, town manager.

The thinking goes like this: With a population of some 2,800, Liberty would have a hard time luring people away from holiday fireworks shows in Raleigh and Greensboro or even the fishing booth at nearby Randleman.

But by waiting each year until the Saturday after the Fourth, when rockets red glare sells at a 50-percent discount, Liberty can throw a wingding that lures 80 percent of the towns residents, draws curious out-of-town visitors, brings 60 vendors, 10 food trucks and an all-day lineup of bands, including Rough Cut, The Shell-Tones and Lightnin.

That can push the holiday as far back as July 11 in years when Independence Day actually falls on Saturday. But Liberty figures, correctly so far, that party-goers will save up some of their flag-waving oomph for the weekend.

Its probably the only time all year we have traffic, Davis said.

Five years ago, Liberty had no Independence Day party at all, and the holiday passed as quietly as the public library on a Tuesday afternoon. The chance to create something special hung like a piata, waiting for Liberty to swing.

Even though the town is named for an antebellum plantation, its too colorful to sit out the spectacle of July Fourth. Liberty is home to Craig Kirkman, world skeet champion. The Chamber of Commerce is housed inside a red caboose. Theres an ocean mural painted on the back of Hurricane Janes restaurant, which also boasts fake palm trees.

Even in June, flags hung from every telephone pole downtown, not to mention the tricolor bunting on the cupcake shop or the plywood Old Glory hanging in the guitar store window. Carol Walls thrift store, Awesome Finds, sells a flag-themed teddy bear. Carolyn Vickrey decorates the mannequin in her dress shop window in Betsy Ross attire.

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Liberty finds economy in a post-dated Fourth

TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. (Liberty Star or the Company) (LBSR: OTCBB) is pleased to provide an update of exploration activity on its Hay Mountain claims. Phase I analysis of assays of vegetation samples taken from the area provided by ALS Minerals (NR 123) has been completed. Since this initial analysis of vegetation samples indicated rare earth elements (REEs) previously defined by soil sampling (NR 122), the Company will undertake a second round of analysis and re-assay the vegetation samples for 13 of 17 known REEs. Further, geochem has defined five drill targets. One target is primary and four others are subsidiary. Permitting for Phase 1 drilling is under way. Observations from Phase one vegetation analysis are:

We want to fly ZTEM before we make a final decision of where and how deep to drill. The survey can be completed and analyzed prior to drilling.

Anticipated drilling will be by diamond core drilling of HQ size (2.5 inches diameter core). Initial drilling will be to a depth of 500 to 1,000 feet to determine depth to bedrock and bedrock type and how it is altered. Five to 10 holes will be drilled, the number depending on depth.

Comments James Briscoe, Liberty Stars CEO and Chief Geologist: Observation of four rare earth elements is novel to the region and exploring for additional REEs is an exciting prospect for us. The strong indications of copper and precious metals at Hay Mountain have been confirmed and are better understood after looking at the vegetation data in relation to the soil and rock chip data. Anomalies are characteristic of porphyry copper systems. We will undertake a ZTEM program as soon as possible. In the meantime we are continuing with Phase I drilling plans at Hay Mountain.

James A. Briscoe James A. Briscoe, Professional Geologist, AZ CA CEO/Chief Geologist Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp.

Read Your Invitation and RSVP to Briscoes Whirlwind Trip, July 5-19

http://www.libertystaruranium.com/ja-briscoe-whirlwind-trip/

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this news release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include: that the vegetation sampling indicated RE, that we will fly a ZTEM program and that a five to 10 hole drill program will occur.

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Liberty Star Provides Geochem Update Hay Mountain, AZ: Phase I Vegetation Samples Complete, Strong Metal Anomalies ...