John Karas to lead organization, draw upon resources across Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin has formed a new organization
to manage the Corporation’s efforts in support of NASA’s space exploration
initiative. The organization, which will be called Space Exploration, will
be led by John C. Karas and be headquartered in Denver, Colo., as part of
the Space Systems Company.

Karas will report to G. Thomas Marsh, executive vice president for Lockheed
Martin Space Systems Company, and will be supported by Jay Honeycutt, vice
president and special assistant for Human Spaceflight and Space Shuttle
Return to Flight.

President Bush and NASA have articulated a vision for robotic and human
exploration of space, eventually returning humans to the moon and then
sending humans to Mars.

"Our Space Exploration organization will call upon resources across Lockheed
Martin – our enormous systems engineering expertise, extensive exploration
experience and unique facilities – to help NASA achieve this vision for
space exploration," said G. Thomas Marsh. "John Karas’ broad experience in
developing and managing space exploration and space transportation systems
within cost and on schedule has prepared him extremely well to coordinate
and manage this effort."

Previously, Karas was vice president, Atlas and Advanced Space
Transportation. This responsibility included launch systems development and
recurring operations for the Atlas/Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV)
program and advanced space transportation opportunities such as Orbital
Space Plane and other manned, unmanned, reusable and expendable systems.

Karas began his career in 1978. He has worked at all levels of a
human-rated space program integrating the Centaur upper stage with the Space
Shuttle in coordination with the NASA Johnson, Kennedy and Glenn Space
Centers. Karas also previously served as the director of the Advanced Space
Systems and Technology department and site director of the company’s
operations in Huntsville, AL, and as manager of Advanced Avionics Systems.

Karas earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia
Institute of Technology and has taken advanced course work toward a master’s
degree in Engineering and a master’s degree in Business Administration.

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 130,000 people
worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development,
manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and
services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.

Media Contacts:

Lockheed Martin: Joan Underwood, 303/971-7398, email,
joan.b.underwood@lmco.com <mailto:joan.b.underwood@lmco.com>

Evan McCollum, 303/977-5937, email evan.d.mccollum@lmco.com
<mailto:evan.d.mccollum@lmco.com>