Orbital Sciences
Corporation announced today that it has been awarded a $2
million contract by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) to conduct studies of potential space and ground
system architectures for the next generation of the Geostationary
Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) system known as GOES-R. The
GOES-R system will use geostationary (GEO) satellites, equipped with
advanced remote sensing instruments, to conduct environmental
monitoring and weather forecasting activities for the U.S. Government
and scientific community.

Under the contract, Orbital will develop concepts that will allow
NOAA to meet its future requirements for environmental sensing, data
collection and data distribution. Orbital will complete studies for
the GOES-R system’s Space and Launch segment, its Command, Control and
Communications (C3) segment, and its End-to-End Systems Integration
segment.

“Orbital is very excited to be selected to assist NOAA in
determining the most effective space and ground system to meet its
future needs for the GOES system,” said Mr. David W. Thompson,
Orbital’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to
applying Orbital’s broad experience in developing innovative
approaches to U.S. Government Earth observation missions for this
critical NOAA program.”

Since its founding, Orbital has designed, developed and built over
90 satellites for civil government, military, commercial and
international space agency customers. The company’s satellite products
include state-of-the-art platforms for low-Earth and geostationary
orbit missions. Orbital’s recent investments in its all-new STAR
satellite product line has resulted in the company’s rapid growth in
the commercial market for GEO satellites, with orders for eight
satellites in the last three years. The company is also applying
technology from its STAR satellites to an advanced government
scientific program, the Dawn planetary spacecraft mission that is
being carried out for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Mr. Jack Danko, Orbital’s Executive Vice President and General
Manager of its Space Systems Group, stated, “Orbital’s experience in
designing complete space and ground systems for both low-Earth and
geostationary orbit spacecraft gives us the background to make
meaningful contributions to NOAA’s GOES-R program. We will use our
proven ability to design cost-effective, flexible and low risk
architectures in support of NOAA’s initiative.”

About Orbital

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.