Third Direct-Broadcast Satellite in BSAT-2 Series in Final Preparations for June Launch Aboard Ariane Rocket

Orbital Sciences Corporation
announced today that the company-built BSAT-2c geostationary (GEO)
communications satellite has been shipped to the space launch complex in
Kourou, French Guiana, where it is scheduled to be launched aboard an Ariane 5
rocket in mid-June. The BSAT-2c satellite is the third direct-broadcast
television spacecraft Orbital has manufactured for Japan’s Broadcasting
Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT). The Ku-band satellite was successfully
built and tested at Orbital’s state-of-the-art satellite production facility
in Dulles, VA in just over 17 months following contract award, a new record
for the company’s STAR small GEO satellite platform.

“We are very pleased to respond to the needs of one of our most valued
customers with a responsive, 17-month satellite manufacturing program,” said
Dr. Ali Atia, President of Orbital’s GEO communications satellite unit. “We
are looking forward to the on-orbit delivery of BSAT-2c, which will enhance
the reliability and capacity of the BSAT network, of which the Orbital-built
BSAT-2a satellite has been a part since 2001.”

Over the next several weeks, a team of engineers from B-SAT, Arianespace
and Orbital will work together to integrate the satellite with the launch
vehicle and perform an extensive series of tests and inspections to ensure
that the combined systems of the satellite and rocket are working properly.

In the past several years, Orbital has developed a strong niche position
in the world market for GEO communications satellites. With its ramp-up in
the production of small, lighter-weight satellites, the company is on track to
replicate its decade-long success following the introduction of its small-
sized Pegasus® and Taurus® rockets to the world launch vehicle market in
the early 1990’s.

Orbital’s GEO satellites are based on the company’s STAR family of smaller
GEO satellite platforms, which are able to accommodate most types of
commercial communications payloads. For many applications, the STAR design is
an attractive alternative to the larger, more costly GEO satellites offered by
the industry’s traditional suppliers.

The STAR satellites are smaller and are significantly less expensive to
manufacture and launch. They are a perfect fit for customers in the early
stages of building their business or established companies that wish to
replace or add capacity to their network.

Orbital develops and manufactures small space systems for commercial,
civil government and military customers. The company’s primary products are
spacecraft 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

Note to Editors:

A high-resolution image of a BSAT-2 satellite is available on Orbital’s
web site at: http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/Images/GEO