Orbital’s Chairman and CEO Honored for Leadership in Space Technology
Mr. David W. Thompson,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Orbital Sciences Corporation, was recently elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering,
the company announced today.
Mr. Thompson was recognized by the prestigious
research and advisory institution for “technical leadership in the conception
and realization of small, flexible launch systems and spacecraft.”
He joins a
distinguished group of 74 U.S. members and seven foreign associates elected
this year for making significant contributions to engineering theory and
practice and for pioneering new technologies.
Mr. Thompson co-founded Orbital in 1982 and has served as its Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer for the past 20 years.
During that time, Orbital has
grown from a start-up company to a $500 million-class enterprise active in
several space markets.
The company has focused on technological innovation
and cost efficiency to create reliable and affordable space-related products
and services used by commercial satellite operators and government agencies
around the world.
Mr. Thompson holds a B.S. in aeronautics and astronautics from
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an M.S. in aeronautics from California
Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Before
co-founding Orbital, he worked at the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) and at Hughes Aircraft Company.
Orbital is one of the world’s leading developers and manufacturers of
affordable space systems for commercial, civil government and military
customers.
The company’s primary products are spacecraft and launch vehicles,
including low-orbit, geostationary and planetary satellites for
communications, scientific and remote sensing missions; ground- and air-
launched rockets that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense
boosters that are used as 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.
CONTACT:
Barron Beneski, Public and Investor Relations of Orbital
Sciences Corporation, +1-703-406-5528, beneski.barron@orbital.com .
