USA and ATK to continue negotiations

Facing a Sunday deadline, ATK and United Space Alliance have agreed to keep working indefinitely toward an agreement to cooperate on building the Ares 1-X rocket at Kennedy Space Center.

A week ago, USA announced that it would stop working with ATK, which builds the shuttle solid rocket boosters and will build the Ares first stage.

"Essentially, we have agreed to continue working while we negotiate a long-term solution," said Jeff Carr, USA senior spokesman. "We don't foresee any interruption in work on the program."

The agreement affects about 600 USA employees who work part time on the Ares project.

ATK spokesman George Torres confirmed the extension.

"We've agreed to continue talking, and work on the program continues," Torres said.

IMAGE NOTE: Click to enlarge the NASA artist's concept of an Ares 1 rocket being readied for flight in the Kennedy Space Center Vehicle Assembly Building. Then click the enlarge image to get a REAL BIG view of the same shot.