WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin has reached an agreement to acquire Zeta Associates Inc., a company that processes and collects data from space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensors for the U.S. defense and intelligence communities, according to a June 30 press release from Lockheed Martin.

The terms of the deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter, were not disclosed.

“Zeta Associates’ expertise in cross-platform information collection, analysis and dissemination is an ideal complement to our national security capabilities,” Lockheed Martin Chief Executive Marillyn Hewson said in the release. “Adding Zeta to our diverse portfolio strengthens our ability to deliver vital ground, air and space-based intelligence in support of our customers’ most essential missions.”

As a wholly owned subsidiary, Zeta Associates will report to the Lockheed Martin Space Systems business.

Zeta, founded in 1984, employs about 350 people and is headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, with a second major facility in Aurora, Colorado. 

The Zeta acquisition follows a June 5 announcement that Lockheed Martin is acquiring satellite prelaunch processor Astrotech Space Operations of Titusville, Florida, for $61 million.

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Mike Gruss is a senior staff writer for SpaceNews. He joined the publication in January 2013 to cover military space. Previously, he worked as a reporter and columnist for The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Va. and The Journal Gazette in Fort Wayne, Ind. He...