DULLES, Va., 28 Nov. 2005. The next satellite in NASA's New Millennium Program will be designed, developed, and built by Orbital Sciences Corp.
The Space Technology 8 satellite will validate advanced technologies in space for possible use in future NASA science missions. The satellite consists of four payload experiments:
* a large flexible solar array;
* a 40-meter deployable boom;
* high radiation environment electronics; and
* a spacecraft thermal control device.
The four technology teams for the ST8 flight validation opportunity were selected from 37 proposers responding to a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) in February, 2003. For more information, see http://nmp.jpl.nasa.gov.
The satellite is based on a lightweight, multi-role spacecraft similar to others in orbit performing communications, Earth and space science missions. It will weigh approximately 385 pounds.
This $27 million competitively awarded contract is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), in Pasadena, Calif. JPL manages New Millennium for NASA.
Orbital Sciences also will provide the mission's Pegasus launch vehicle under a separate contract with NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The mission is scheduled for launch in 2009.
Orbital Sciences Corp. was founded in 1982 with the goal of making space technology more affordable, accessible and useful to millions of people on Earth. Since then, we have grown to become the world's leading developer and manufacturer of smaller, more affordable space and rocket systems. We have pioneered new classes of launch vehicles, satellites and other space technologies. And we have seen these technologies become the building blocks of space-related systems used by our customers to defend our country, to provide global communications, to study the Earth, and to explore our solar system and the universe beyond.
As the industry leader in small space and rocket systems, Orbital provides a complete set of reliable, cost-effective products... from small geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellites for communications and broadcasting, low Earth orbit (LEO) spacecraft that perform remote sensing and scientific research, and planetary probes to explore deep space... to lightweight launch vehicles that transport satellites into orbit, target rockets used to test missile defense systems, and interceptor booster vehicles that are deployed to protect against enemy missile attack.
We are also involved in several related businesses, including space engineering services and advanced transportation management systems. With this range of capabilities, the company is well positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the global space market, which is estimated to exceed $100 billion in total demand in 2005. For more information, see www.orbital.com.
