United Space Alliance Sues ATK Over Recruiting Practices

摘要

Unhappy with its share of a NASA contract to help design, build and test the Ares 1 crew launch vehicle, space shuttle operator United Space Alliance (USA) is suing the project's prime contractor, Al-liant Techsystems (ATK). In a lawsuit filed Aug. 15 in Florida's Brevard County Circuit Court, USA said it is seeking unspecified damages for fraud and breach of contract. USA claims in its suit that Brigham City, Utah-based ATK Launch Systems Group has been aggressively recruiting and hiring USA employees while at the same time reducing the shuttle operator's role on the design and development of the Ares 1 first stage, which is based on the solid-rocket boosters ATK builds for the shuttle. USA officials allege in the lawsuit that ATK's actions constitute fraud and a breach of contract and could jeopardize USA's ability to support the safe fly out of NASA's remaining space shuttle missions. ATK said USA has no case.