Lockheed Martin’s Orbital Space Plane Team Now Includes Orbital Sciences Corporation
Three Aerospace Innovators – Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Orbital Sciences – Combine Strengths to Design and Build NASA’s Orbital Space Plane
Lockheed Martin Corporation announced today that Orbital Sciences Corporation will
join the Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman team that is competing for
full-scale development of NASA’s Orbital Space Plane (OSP). Lockheed Martin
will lead the team as the system prime contractor. Northrop Grumman’s role
will be as principal teammate while Orbital Sciences Corporation will serve as
teammate and subcontractor. NASA is expected to choose a prime contractor
team by August 2004 for full-scale development of an OSP.
“I am very pleased that our companies have agreed to combine our
capabilities on this extremely important program for NASA,” said Michael
Coats, vice president of Lockheed Martin Space Systems’ Advanced Space
Transportation programs. “Together, we will be able to design, develop and
provide whole systems integration and build a safe, reliable and credibly
cost-effective Orbital Space Plane for NASA. With the combination of Lockheed
Martin, Northrop Grumman and Orbital Sciences, we will bring to bear the most
significant concentration of space flight experience and expertise that NASA
can rely upon in developing the next human space flight system.”
The Orbital Space Plane system will provide a crew rescue capability for
the International Space Station by 2008 and two-way crew transfer capability
by 2012. The OSP will be launched into space aboard an Atlas V or Delta IV
launch vehicle system.
“We are very happy to be joining the Lockheed Martin team,” said G. David
Low, vice president and deputy general manager of Orbital’s Advanced Programs
Group. “The Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Orbital Sciences team
collectively brings a wealth of experience to the OSP program. We are looking
forward to continuing our contribution to this next human space flight vehicle
as part of a strong team. Together, we are committed to making it safe,
simple and soon.”
Headquartered in Dulles, Va., Orbital develops and manufactures small
space systems for commercial, civil government and military customers. The
company’s primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including
low-orbit, geostationary and planetary spacecraft for communications, remote
sensing and scientific missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver
satellites into orbit; and missile defense boosters that are used as
interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also offers space-related technical
services to government agencies and develops and builds satellite-based
transportation management systems for public transit agencies and private
vehicle fleet operators.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, headquartered near Denver, Colo.,
is one of the major operating units of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Space
Systems Company designs, develops, tests and manufactures a variety of
advanced technology systems for space and defense. Chief products include
space launch systems, defense systems, interplanetary and science spacecraft,
spacecraft for commercial and government customers, fleet ballistic missiles
and missile defense systems.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about
125,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems,
products and services. The corporation reported 2002 sales of $26.6 billion.
Media Contacts:
Lockheed Martin:
- Joan Underwood, 303-971-7398; email, joan.b.underwood@lmco.com
- Julie Andrews, 321-853-1567; email, julie.c.andrews@lmco.com
Orbital Sciences Corporation:
- Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528, beneski.barron@orbital.com
For additional information, visit our websites:
