Newest GEO Communications Satellite Based on the Company’s STAR Platform Successfully Completes In-Orbit Check-out

Orbital Sciences
Corporation announced today that it has made the final
in-orbit delivery of the BSAT-2c satellite to its customer,
Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) of Japan. Based on
the company’s STAR platform, BSAT-2c is the third in a series of three
geostationary (GEO) communications satellites that Orbital built for
B-SAT since 1999. The BSAT-2c satellite was launched into orbit aboard
an Ariane 5 rocket on June 11, 2003. Following the launch, a team of
Orbital engineers conducted a thorough evaluation of the satellite’s
operating systems and its onboard communications payload and
determined that it is functioning as expected. Operational control of
the satellite system was transferred to B-SAT on July 15.

“We are very pleased to deliver another high-quality satellite to
B-SAT, which has been an anchor customer for our small GEO
satellites,” said Dr. Ali Atia, head of Orbital’s GEO communications
satellite business unit. “The completion of the BSAT-2c check-out
process adds yet another milestone to our drive to be the leading
supplier of small-sized GEO communications spacecraft to the global
satellite market.”

The BSAT-2c satellite will operate in Ku-band frequencies from its
orbital location at 110 degrees East longitude. The spacecraft is
optimized for a 10-year design life and will provide additional
capacity for B-SAT’s satellite broadcasting service throughout Japan.
BSAT-2c is the third Orbital-built GEO communications satellite to be
put in service by customers in the past 12 months.

Orbital develops and manufactures small space and missile 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.

More information about Orbital can be found at
http://www.orbital.com