Orbital Sciences Corporation : ORBITAL ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER 2012 FINANCIAL RESULTS

ORBITAL ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER 2012 FINANCIAL RESULTS

- Company Reports Record Quarterly Revenues and Operating Income -
- Quarterly Earnings Per Share Increases 9% Over Comparable Adjusted Results in 2011-

(Dulles, VA 19 July 2012) - Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) today reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2012. Second quarter 2012 revenues were $371.3 million, up 6% compared to $350.6 million in the second quarter of 2011. Second quarter 2012 operating income was $26.1 million, an increase of 14% compared to $22.8 million in the second quarter of 2011.

Net income was $14.6 million, or $0.25 diluted earnings per share, in the second quarter of 2012, compared to adjusted net income* of $13.5 million, or $0.23 adjusted diluted earnings per share*, in the second quarter of 2011. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share in the second quarter of 2011 exclude a favorable nonrecurring income tax adjustment of $7.7 million, or $0.13 diluted earnings per share. Second quarter 2011 reported net income was $21.2 million, or $0.36 diluted earnings per share. Orbital's free cash flow* in the second quarter of 2012 was $18.9 million compared to $24.4 million in the second quarter of 2011.

Mr. David W. Thompson, Orbital's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The company's second quarter 2012 financial results set new records for quarterly revenues and operating income, with profits increasing in all business segments. Orbital also recorded new orders and option exercises totaling $870 million, which included eight new government and commercial satellites and launch vehicles."

"In addition, during the quarter Orbital successfully completed four launch vehicle and space systems missions and delivered five rockets and satellites to customers for future missions. The company also completed several important milestones in the Antares rocket and Cygnus spacecraft programs," Mr. Thompson added.
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* These adjusted amounts and "free cash flow" are non-GAAP financial measures. For additional details concerning these measures, please refer to the sections of this press release entitled "Cash Flow" and "Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Financial Highlights

Revenues increased $20.7 million, or 6%, in the second quarter of 2012 compared to the second quarter of 2011. The revenue growth was due to a significant revenue increase in the advanced space programs segment of $29.9 million that was partially offset by revenue reductions in the satellites and space systems segment of $8.1 million and the launch vehicles segment of $5.1 million. Intersegment revenue eliminations were $18.1 million in the second quarter of 2012, down $4.0 million compared to the second quarter of 2011 due to a lower level of activity on Antares launch vehicles for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) research and development program with NASA, which is expected to be substantially complete by the end of 2012. The advanced space programs segment revenue growth was driven by increased activity on the Commercial Resupply Services contract (CRS) with NASA. The reduction in satellites and space systems segment revenues was principally due to lower revenues from communications satellite contracts, while launch vehicles segment revenues were lower mainly due to decreased activity on space launch vehicle contracts.

Operating income increased $3.3 million, or 14%, in the second quarter of 2012 compared to the second quarter of 2011, due to profit increases in all three business segments. Satellites and space systems segment operating income improved largely due to profit improvements on certain communications satellite contracts, advanced space programs segment operating income grew principally due to increased activity on the CRS contract and launch vehicles segment operating income increased primarily due to profit improvements on certain launch vehicle contracts. In the second quarter of 2012, the company recognized $2.1 million of professional fees and other costs related to a potential acquisition that was not consummated. These expenses were not allocated to the business segments but were reported in "corporate and other."

Net income in the second quarter of 2012 was $14.6 million, or $0.25 diluted earnings per share, compared to $21.2 million, or $0.36 diluted earnings per share, in the second quarter of 2011. Income before taxes grew $2.9 million while income tax expense increased $9.4 million, more than offsetting the improvement in pretax results. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to a favorable nonrecurring income tax adjustment of $7.7 million, or $0.13 diluted earnings per share, in the second quarter of 2011. The company's effective income tax expense rate was 38% in the second quarter of 2012.
Segment Results

Launch Vehicles

Launch vehicles segment revenues decreased $5.1 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to the second quarter of 2011 due to decreased activity on space launch vehicles and missile defense interceptors partially offset by increased activity on target launch vehicles.

Segment operating income increased $1.3 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to the second quarter of 2011 despite the decline in segment revenues primarily due to profit improvements on certain launch vehicle contracts. Segment operating margin improved principally due to the effect of the contract profit improvements.

Satellites and Space Systems

Satellites and space systems segment revenues decreased $8.1 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to the second quarter of 2011 primarily due to lower revenues from communications satellite contracts that are nearing completion.

Segment operating income increased $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to the second quarter of 2011 despite the reduction in segment revenues largely due to profit improvements on certain communications satellite contracts that were substantially completed in the quarter. Segment operating margin increased principally due to the effect of the contract profit improvements.
Advanced Space Programs

Advanced space programs segment revenues increased $29.9 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to the second quarter of 2011 due to increased activity on the CRS contract.

Segment operating income increased $2.0 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to the second quarter of 2011 principally due to increased activity on the CRS contract. Segment operating margin was unchanged in the second quarter of 2012 as compared to the second quarter of 2011.

Cash Flow

New Business Highlights

During the second quarter of 2012, Orbital recorded approximately $455 million in new firm and option contract bookings. In addition, the company recognized approximately $415 million of option exercises under existing contracts. As of June 30, 2012, the company's firm contract backlog was approximately $2.2 billion and its total backlog (including options, indefinite-quantity contracts and undefinitized orders) was approximately $5.2 billion.

Operational Highlights

In the second quarter of 2012, the company carried out four launch vehicle and satellite missions and delivered five additional systems to customers for future missions. Second quarter operations included the successful launch of the company's Pegasus rocket that carried into orbit the company-built NuSTAR scientific satellite, which is performing as planned. This was the 27^th consecutive successful Pegasus mission over the past 15 years. Orbital also launched a medium-range target rocket for a missile defense exercise conducted over the Pacific Ocean, as
well as a flight of a Coyote high-speed, low-altitude target for the French navy, the program's first international customer.

In addition to these operational events, Orbital also achieved numerous milestones on its Antares and Cygnus development programs in the last three months. The launch complex at Wallops Island, Virginia is nearing its certification for operations and is expected to be available to Orbital for mission operations beginning in the third quarter of this year. The company also successfully test fired two AJ26 rocket engines, which provide main propulsion for the Antares first stage, at NASA's Stennis Space Center. In addition, Orbital's first Cygnus cargo logistics spacecraft completed its major environmental and ground testing prior to its shipment to Wallops Island for integration with an Antares rocket and launch to the International Space Station later this year.

For the remainder of 2012, Orbital is scheduled to complete up to 20 additional space missions, product deliveries and major research and development milestones, including the first two launches of the Antares rocket, the second of which will carry the first Cygnus spacecraft that will rendezvous and berth with the International Space Station.

2012 Financial Guidance

The company updated its financial guidance for full year 2012 as follows:

Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We define free cash flow as GAAP (U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment. A reconciliation of free cash flow to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities is included above in the section entitled "Cash Flow." Management believes that the company's presentation of free cash flow is useful because it provides investors with an important perspective on the company's liquidity, financial flexibility and ability to fund operations and service debt.

Management believes that the presentation of adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share, which exclude a nonrecurring income tax benefit in the second quarter of 2011, provides a more useful comparison of the company's financial performance for the periods presented.

Orbital does not intend for the above non-GAAP financial measures to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measures. Other companies may define these measures differently.

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 satellite subsystems and space-related technical services to U.S. Government agencies and laboratories. More information about Orbital can be found at http://www.orbital.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Certain statements in this press release may be forward-looking in nature or "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those related to our financial outlook, liquidity, goals, business strategy, projected plans and objectives of management for future operating results and forecasts of future events. 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 "anticipate," "forecast," "expect," "believe," "should," "will," "intend," "plan" and words of similar substance. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause the actual results or performance of the company to be materially different from the forward-looking statement. Uncertainty surrounding factors such as continued government support and funding for key space and defense programs, new product development programs, product performance and market acceptance of products and technologies, achievement of contractual milestones, government contract procurement and termination risks and income tax rates, as well as other risk factors and business considerations described in the company's SEC filings, including its annual report on Form 10-K, may materially impact Orbital's actual financial and operational results. Orbital assumes no obligation for updating the information contained in this press release.

A transcript of the earnings teleconference call will be available on Orbital's website at http://www.orbital.com/Investor.

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