DULLES, Va.Oct. 28, 2014--
Orbital
Sciences Corporation (NYSE:ORB), one of the world s leading space
technology companies, confirms that today s Antares rocket launch from
NASA s Wallops Flight Facility was not successful. Shortly after
lift-off from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad 0A at 6:22 p.m.
(EDT), the vehicle suffered a catastrophic failure. According to NASA s
emergency operations officials, there were no casualties and property
damage was limited to the south end of Wallops Island. Orbital has
formed an anomaly investigation board, which will work in close
coordination with all appropriate government agencies, to determine the
cause of today s mishap.
It is far too early to know the details of what happened, said Mr.
Frank Culbertson, Orbital s Executive Vice President and General Manager
of its Advanced Programs Group. As we begin to gather information, our
primary concern lies with the ongoing safety and security of those
involved in our response and recovery operations. We will conduct a
thorough investigation immediately to determine the cause of this
failure and what steps can be taken to avoid a repeat of this incident.
As soon as we understand the cause we will begin the necessary work to
return to flight to support our customers and the nation s space
program.
Orbital will provide more information as it becomes available and is
verified.
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
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 government agencies and
laboratories. More information about Orbital can be found at http://www.orbital.com.
Follow the company on Twitter @OrbitalSciences.
Source: Orbital Sciences Corporation
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528
Public
and Investor Relations
beneski.barron@orbital.com