-- Next Cygnus Cargo Spacecraft to Be Launched on Atlas V Vehicle in Fall 2015 --
-- Upgraded Antares Rockets to Resume Flights from
The company s go-forward plans for the CRS program and Antares launch vehicle include these major elements:
-
Atlas V Launch: Orbital has contracted
with
United Launch Alliance for an Atlas V launch of a Cygnus cargo spacecraft fromCape Canaveral, Florida , in the fourth quarter of 2015, with an option for a second Atlas V launch in 2016 if needed. The Atlas rocket s greater lift capacity will allow Cygnus to carry nearly 35% more cargo to the ISS than previously planned for CRS missions in 2015. -
Antares Propulsion Upgrade: The company
has confirmed its ability to accelerate the introduction of a new main
propulsion system for the Antares rocket and has scheduled three
additional CRS launches in the first, second and fourth quarters of
2016 using the upgraded vehicle. The greater payload performance of
the upgraded Antares will permit Cygnus spacecraft on each of these
missions to deliver over 20% more cargo than in prior plans. With
necessary supplier contracts now in place, the first new propulsion
systems are expected to arrive at the Antares final assembly facility
at
Wallops Island, Virginia in mid-2015 to begin vehicle integration and testing. - Wallops Launch Site Repairs: The Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) has assessed the clean-up, repair and reconstruction work necessary to return the Wallops launch complex to operational status. Current plans call for repairs to be substantially completed by the fall of 2015, with recertification taking place before year end.
The flexibility of Orbital s Cygnus cargo spacecraft to accommodate heavier cargo loads, together with the greater lift capacity of the Atlas V and upgraded Antares vehicles, will allow the company to complete all currently contracted ISS deliveries in four missions instead of the five previously planned flights over the next two years. In addition, the company s revised approach is not expected to create any material adverse financial impacts in 2015 or future years as Orbital carries out the CRS cargo delivery and Antares propulsion upgrade programs.
About Orbital
Orbital develops and manufactures small- and medium-class rockets and
space systems for commercial, military and civil government customers.
The company s primary products are satellites and launch vehicles,
including low-Earth orbit, geosynchronous-Earth orbit and planetary
exploration spacecraft for communications, remote sensing, scientific
and defense missions; human-rated space systems for Earth-orbit, lunar
and other missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver
satellites into orbit; and missile defense systems that are used as
interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also provides research rocket
and satellite subsystems and space-related technical services to
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking
statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. These forward-looking statements include those related to our
go-forward plans for the CRS program and the Antares launch vehicle.
These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate
strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements
often include the words "forecast," "expect," "will," "intend," "plan,"
to and words of similar substance. Such forward-looking statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual financial
results or operating performance to be materially different from the
forward-looking statement. These risks and uncertainties include factors
such as the timing of any future launches; the accounting, financial or
commercial impact of the launch failure; the availability of insurance;
changes in revenue and cost estimates and/or timing of programs; the
potential termination of
Source:
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528
Public
and Investor Relations
beneski.barron@orbital.com