Posted: Fri, Feb 2, 2001, 2:18 PM ET (1918 GMT)
Alliant Techsystems (ATK) announced this week it was acquiring the Thiokol Propulsion division of Alcoa for $685 million in cash. Thiokol, best known for making the solid-propellant boosters used by the space shuttle, became a part of Alcoa just last year when the aluminum giant acquired Thiokol's parent, Cordant Technologies. Thiokol should find a better fit at ATK, which makes solid-propellant motors for the Pegasus and Taurus boosters as well as the large solid-propellant boosters used by the Titan 4B and the strap-on boosters for the Delta 2. The deal is expected to close by the second quarter of this year.

Related Links:

•  ATK press release
•  Thiokol Propulsion