Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, a
business unit of the Lockheed Martin Corporation [NYSE: LMT] has been
awarded a contract to build an A2100 geosynchronous satellite for EchoStar
Communications Corp. The satellite, designated EchoStar X, will provide
distribution of direct-to-home broadcast services across the continental
United States, Alaska and Hawaii following its scheduled launch in third
quarter, 2005. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The EchoStar contract marks the fourth new commercial satellite order
received by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems during 2003.

“We are extremely proud of our long, successful partnership with EchoStar,”
said Ted Gavrilis, president, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems. “We
look forward to delivering a world class, high-performance spacecraft that
will greatly enhance EchoStar’s ability to provide direct-to-home satellite
TV service.”

EchoStar X will be based on the award winning A2100AX platform, manufactured
by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, Newtown, Pa., and will have a
minimum service life of 15 years. EchoStar X will be the sixth satellite
built by Lockheed Martin for EchoStar Communications Corp., and the fourth
based on the award-winning A2100 platform. The high power Ku-band spacecraft
will provide direct-to-home services and back-up to other satellites in the
EchoStar fleet and will be located at 110 degrees West longitude.

“We eagerly anticipate the construction and launch of EchoStar X, working
side-by-side with Lockheed Martin,” said EchoStar President Mike Dugan.
“This satellite will further solidify our ability to provide service to our
customers at the most competitive prices.”

The A2100 geostationary spacecraft is designed to meet a wide variety of
telecommunications needs ranging from high-power Ka-, Ku- and C-band fixed
satellite and direct broadcast services to mobile satellite services using
the L- and S-band frequency spectrum. The heritage A2100’s modular design
features flight-proven equipment, thus simplifying construction, shortening
delivery schedule, and increasing on-orbit reliability.

In recognition of the A2100’s reliability, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space
Systems recently received an award for “Product of the Year,” by Frost &
Sullivan. Calling it “the most reliable and efficient of its class,” Frost &
Sullivan recognized the LMCSS-built A2100 satellite platform for
“outstanding on-orbit reliability record since it was first offered in
1996.”

About EchoStar Communications Corporation

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH) is the owner of DISH
Network(TM), the fastest-growing U.S. provider of satellite television
entertainment services with 9 million customers. DISH Network delivers
advanced digital satellite television services, including hundreds of video
and audio channels, interactive TV, digital video recording, HDTV, sports
and international programming, professional installation and 24-hour
customer service. Visit EchoStar’s DISH Network at (www.dishnetwork.com) or
call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

About Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems

Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, based in Newtown, Pa., markets,
designs and builds geostationary and non-geostationary telecommunications
and remote sensing satellites for customers worldwide. LMCSS is an operating
unit of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, one of the core business
areas of the Lockheed Martin Corporation. Lockheed Martin has a 41-year
heritage of building reliable spacecraft for commercial and military
customers, having launched more than 875 spacecraft and clocking nearly
1,500 years of on-orbit performance experience.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin employs about 125,000
people worldwide and is a global enterprise principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced
technology systems, products, and services. The Corporation reported 2002 sa
les of $26.6 billion.