Company Extends Dominance of Global Market for Small Commercial GEO Satellites

Orbital Sciences
Corporation announced today that it has signed a major new
contract in its geosynchronous (GEO) communications satellite
manufacturing business. Optus Networks, Pty., based in Sydney,
Australia, has placed a firm order for two spacecraft that will
provide Ku-band fixed communications and direct television
broadcasting services to Australia and New Zealand. The two new
satellites, which will initiate Optus’ D-series of satellites, will be
based on Orbital’s Star(TM) platform and will carry 24 transponders,
with 8 back-up channels also available. The first satellite, known as
D-1, will generate approximately 4.0 kilowatts of electrical power and
is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2005. The second
satellite, D-2, will generate approximately 4.7 kilowatts of power and
is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2006. Financial
details of the contract were not released.

Commenting on the contract award, Dr. Ali Atia, head of Orbital’s
GEO communications satellite unit, said, “We are very appreciative of
Optus’ decision to deploy our Star satellites into their fleet. We are
fully committed to working in partnership with Optus to see that the
satellites are delivered on schedule for a smooth transition into
their network.”

Dr. Atia added, “This contract is further evidence of Orbital’s
increasing dominance in the niche market for small GEO satellites.
With an advanced satellite design based on three-axis stabilization
and significant power and mass margins over our nearest small platform
competitor, we have clearly become the preferred supplier of
satellites in this class.”

The order from Optus continues Orbital’s growth in the market for
small GEO communications satellites. Since the late 1990’s, Orbital
has received orders for 14 small GEO satellites, seven of which have
been delivered to customers in the U.S. and Asia. Including this most
recent order, Orbital currently has five GEO satellites in various
stages of design, manufacturing and testing, and has options for two
additional satellites that could be exercised in the future.

Mr. Paul O’Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer of Optus, said, “The
deal with Orbital is very significant as it confirms Optus’ position
as a leading satellite operator in the Asia Pacific region. It secures
our leadership position in the direct-to-home subscription television
broadcasting markets of Australia and New Zealand. We are looking
forward to a successful relationship with Orbital.”

Orbital’s highly successful GEO communications satellites are
based on the company’s Star-1 and Star-2 standard spacecraft
platforms, which are able to accommodate most types of commercial
communications payloads. For many applications, the lighter-weight,
more-affordable Star design is an attractive alternative to the
larger, more costly GEO satellites offered by other suppliers.
Orbital’s Star satellites are smaller and significantly less expensive
to manufacture and launch. They are an ideal fit for established
companies that require incremental capacity for their network or for
customers in the early stages of building their business.

About Optus

Optus is an Australian leader in integrated communications,
serving more than six million customers each day. In 2001, Singapore
Telecon became the parent company of Optus, paving the way for Optus
to become a strong and strategic telecommunications player within the
Asia-Pacific region. The company provides a broad range of
communications services including mobile, local, national, long
distance and international telephony, business network services,
dial-up and broadband internet and satellite services as well as
subscription television.

More information about Optus can be found at
http://www.optus.com.au

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.