PROMONTORY -- What went up in smoke in the latest ATK motor test was the product of a little-known Southern Utah company.
The billowy burn of 700 tons of solid rocket propellant on Aug. 31 was largely a chemical from American Pacific Corporation of Cedar City.
"Normally, it's about 70 percent by weight," said Dave Thayer, AMPAC Utah general manager, describing the company's portion of the fuel.
The Iron County company claims in its promotional materials it is the only North American producer of ammonium perchlorate (AP), an oxidizer primarily used as a key propellant component.
American Pacific is headquartered in Nevada and has facilities in three states and two other countries, offering aerospace products worldwide.
After the rocket test, some observers were surprised that such a large burn would produce little smell.
"What you do smell is burnt rubber," said Kevin Rees, ATK director of test services and a Logan resident.
The propellant used by ATK is a mix of powdered aluminum, ammonium perchlorate, a polymer called polybutadiene acrylonitrile, epoxy and iron oxide.
"When the ammonium perchlorate decomposes as part of the combustion process, it turns to gas. It does not produce any solid residue," Thayer said.
More than 140 people are employed by the Western Electrochemical Company, the American Pacific operating division that produces the product for ATK and others.
AMPAC's production of aerospace-grade AP began more than 50 years ago in Nevada. The company moved to Utah in 1988, and a train generally moves the AP from one end of the state to the other.
Applications for AP also include fireworks and road flares.
As Congress and the White House debate the future use by NASA of solid propellant rockets, Thayer said he is hopeful for not only his company but one of his largest customers, ATK.
"Hopefully, NASA does decide that this is the route they want to go," Thayer said.
ATK has tentatively planned another test for its motor in late summer of 2011.
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