-- NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory Satellite Does Not Achieve Orbit --
DULLES, Va.Feb. 24, 2009--
Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE:ORB) announced today that the launch
of its Taurus XL rocket, which lifted off at 4:55 a.m. (EST) from
Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA., carrying the company-built Orbiting
Carbon Observatory satellite for NASA, did not achieve orbit.
Preliminary indications are that the payload fairing on the Taurus XL
vehicle failed to separate. The fairing is a clamshell structure which
encapsulates the satellite as it travels through the atmosphere.
Orbital will immediately convene an internal failure investigation board
that will include representatives from the company and NASA to determine
the cause of today’s launch failure. Orbital believes that it is likely
that it gathered sufficient data during the flight that will enable the
company to identify the cause of the failure.
Source: Orbital Sciences Corporation
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528
Public
and Investor Relations
beneski.barron@orbital.com