Orbital Sciences Corporation
announced today that its MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.
(MDA) subsidiary was recently awarded two new contracts for its space robotics
systems from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA).
With a total value of about $65 million, these
contracts are for ongoing engineering services and logistics support to ensure
the appropriate functioning of MDA’s space robotics systems, which are an
important part of many Space Shuttle missions and will play a critical role in
the assembly and operations of the International Space Station (ISS).

The CSA contract, valued at approximately $50 million over three years,
provides for technical operations, sustaining engineering and logistics
support for the Mobile Servicing System (MSS), Canada’s primary contribution
to the ISS.
The contract will encompass MDA’s ground processing, launch and
in-orbit operations support activities.
The MSS, which will include the next-
generation “Canadarm,” will continue to service and maintain the ISS,
following the assembly process, for 15 to 20 years.

The NASA contract, valued at approximately $15 million over two years,
provides for engineering services for MDA’s robotic workstation that will be
installed aboard the ISS.
This robotic workstation allows an astronaut to
operate the MSS from the safety of the ISS and avoid the risks to humans posed
by extravehicular space walks.

Orbital’s MDA subsidiary is Canada’s leading space and information systems
company and is the world’s primary supplier of space robotics technology.
It
employs approximately 1,700 people at major facilities in the Vancouver and
Toronto areas, as well as at other Canadian and international locations.

Orbital is one of the largest space technology and satellite services
companies in the world, with 1999 total enterprise revenues (including
revenues from unconsolidated affiliates) of approximately $915 million.
The
company, headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, employs about 5,500 people at
major facilities in the United States, Canada and several overseas locations.

Orbital is the world’s leading manufacturer of low-cost space systems,
including satellites, launch vehicles, electronics and sensors, satellite
ground systems and related digital infrastructure.
Its Magellan subsidiary is
a pioneer in satellite-based navigation and communications products for
consumer and industrial markets.
Through its ORBCOMM and ORBIMAGE affiliates
and ORBNAV subsidiary, Orbital is also a major operator of satellite-based
networks that provide data communications, high-resolution imagery and
automotive information services to customers all around the world.