Sparks, Nev., July 10, 2014 – Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) announces it completed the acquisition of Orbital Technologies Corporation (ORBITEC), headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. The company will continue its operations in Madison, while supporting SNC’s Space Systems in Louisville, Colorado.

The acquisition comes as the result of the previous successful working relationship between the two firms. The combined capabilities and products of SNC’s Space Systems and ORBITEC provide SNC’s customers with a comprehensive set of green space propulsion technology options with both hybrid solid/liquid and bipropellant liquid rocket motors. SNC Space Systems provides world class components and subsystems to space contractors, including gimbal mechanisms, power subsystems, solar array drives, release mechanisms, integrated solar panel assemblies and flight control actuators.   

“We’re pleased to formally welcome ORBITEC to the SNC family,” said SNC President Eren Ozmen. “It was a natural progression for our two companies to come together after years of teaming on SNC’s Dream Chaser® spacecraft program.  Our complementary technologies, depth in space systems leadership and steadfast commitment to developing safe, human spaceflight, are consistent with both our business plans for significantly growing our aerospace and commercial markets.”  

As previously announced by SNC, the ORBITEC acquisition extends SNC’s subsystems portfolio to include Environmental Control Life Support Subsystems (ECLSS) and advanced thermal management for human spaceflight vehicles and orbiting habitats. The excellent performance characteristics and value of ORBITEC’s ECLSS and Reaction Control Subsystem (RCS) technology made these the clear choice for SNC’s Dream Chaser winged Commercial Crew Transport for the International Space Station. SNC is committed to continuing ORBITEC’s excellent relationships with its government and commercial customers. 

ORBITEC’s decades of experience in strong liquid rocket propulsion systems, human spaceflight life support and thermal systems, automated life science systems, and fire suppression systems portfolio will provide substantial enhancements to SNC’s Space Systems’ broad product line,” said Mark N. Sirangelo, corporate vice president of SNC Space Systems.

ORBITEC started in Wisconsin as a 3-person company. Over the past 26 years ORBITEC has leveraged the great intellectual and resource capacity in Wisconsin. The company recently added over 30 high tech jobs to the state. “ORBITEC will continue to expand its capabilities to deliver the next generation of products with improved viability and efficiency, meeting and ensuring customer satisfaction in challenging and cost-sensitive markets,” said Tom Crabb, chief operations officer of ORBITEC. “We know that the State of Wisconsin has a significant heritage in aerospace. ORBITEC is committed to expanding Wisconsin’s valuable high tech economy that could potentially include becoming a launch or landing state for the Dream Chaser,” said Crabb. Crabb will continue to lead and manage ORBITEC, as an SNC subsidiary.

About Orbital Technologies Corporation (ORBITEC)
ORBITEC is a leading high technology development and subsystem integration company based in Madison, Wisconsin. ORBITEC offers commercially mature solutions and strong capabilities in five distinct areas: Next Generation Fire Suppression; Propulsion, Propellant, and Power Systems; Life Support and Environment Control; Bio-based products and production systems; and Interactive 3D Simulation Software. ORBITEC has won more than $150 million in contracts to develop state-of-the-art technologies and products from government (NASA, USAF, US Army, US Navy, USDA, FAA/DOT), large and small commercial aerospace, and other commercial industries The company has been able to convert research and development initiatives into leading technologies and mature the technologies to valuable products in their respective markets that provide significant cost advantages, superior functionality, and high reliability. ORBITEC is led by an experienced management team with over one hundred years of industry experience. For more information on ORBITEC, visit www.orbitec.com

Media Contact: zamprellip@orbitec.com or Paul Zamprelli at 608-630-4424.

About Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Space Systems 
Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Space Systems business area based in Louisville, Colorado, designs and manufactures advanced spacecraft, space vehicles, rocket motors and spacecraft subsystems and components for the U.S. Government, commercial customers as well as for the international market.  SNC’s Space Systems has more than 25 years of space heritage and has participated in over 400 successful space missions through the delivery of over 4,000 systems, subsystems and components.  During its history, SNC’s Space Systems has concluded over 70 programs for NASA and over 50 other clients. For more information about SNC’s Space Systems visitwww.sncspace.com and follow us at Facebook.com/SNCSpaceSystems.

Media Contact: SNCDreamChaser@sncorp.com or Krystal Scordo at 720-407-3192.

About Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), headquartered in Sparks, Nevada, is one of America’s fastest growing private companies based on its significant expansion and reputation for rapid, innovative, and agile technology solutions in electronics, aerospace, avionics, space, propulsion, micro-satellite, aircraft, communications systems and solar energy. Under the leadership of CEO Fatih Ozmen and President Eren Ozmen, SNC has a workforce of over 3,000 personnel in 31 locations in 17 states. SNC’s six unique business areas are dedicated to providing leading-edge solutions to SNC’s dynamic customer base.

SNC is also the Top Woman-Owned Federal Contractor in the United States. Over the last 30 years under the Ozmen’s leadership, SNC has remained focused on providing its customers the very best in diversified technologies to meet their needs and has a strong and proven track record of success. The company continues to focus its growth also on the commercial sector through internal advancements in dual-use applications and outside acquisitions, including the emerging markets of renewable energy, telemedicine, nanotechnology, cyber and net-centric operations. For more information on SNC visit www.sncorp.com and follow us at Facebook/Sierra Nevada Corporation.

Media Contact: SNCDreamChaser@sncorp.com or Michelle Erlach at 775-849-6027.