ATK is building the main abort and attitude control motors for the launch abort system that will sit on top of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle — the successor to the Space Shuttle as NASA’s primary vehicle for human space exploration. Orion is the primary payload of the Ares I rocket’s 25-ton mission, designed to reach low-Earth orbit for rendezvous with the International Space Station or an Earth departure station and lunar lander. The Orion launch abort system will include an escape rocket on top of the capsule that can quickly blast the crew away if launch problems develop. ATK is also building the solar arrays for Orion.

Similar in design to the Apollo-era command module, but larger and more versatile, Orion will be capable of carrying six occupants — twice as many as the Apollo capsule. The Orion launch abort system will include an escape rocket on top of the capsule that can quickly blast the crew away if launch problems develop.
Nov. 20, 2008 NASA and Industry Team Successfully Test Orion Launch Abort Motor
News release  Video (4:15)