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ORBITAL-BUILT FUSE SPACECRAFT READY FOR LAUNCH

Satellite to Study Origins and Evolution of the Universe for NASA

(DULLES, VA 23 June 1999) -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) today announced that the company-built Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) spacecraft has completed preparations for a June 24, 1999 launch aboard a Delta II rocket. The launch is scheduled to occur at 11:40 a.m. EDT on Thursday from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, subject to final pre-launch testing and acceptable weather conditions at launch time.

The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is the prime contractor for the FUSE program, a scientific mission funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to explore the origin and evolution of galaxies, stars and solar systems. NASA has used the FUSE program as a model for its planned series of Mid-Class Explorer (MIDEX) missions, incorporating new guidelines and techniques to generate high-quality scientific results while reducing mission costs and development cycles.

Orbital began work on the 3,000 lb. (1,350 kg) FUSE spacecraft in August 1995 with responsibility for the design, fabrication, integration, test and mission operations support of the spacecraft bus. Following delivery of the completed spacecraft to JHU in April 1998, Orbital’s FUSE team has supported integration of the JHU-built science instrument (a far ultraviolet spectroscope) and testing of the entire satellite. The Orbital team will now provide launch support from Cape Canaveral and early mission operations support from the FUSE satellite control center at JHU’s Baltimore, Maryland campus.

To help meet NASA’s performance, cost and schedule goals, Orbital used flight-proven technologies adapted from previous spacecraft, including successful Explorer-class missions such as the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) and the X-ray Timing Explorer (XTE), allowing more of the FUSE program’s critical resources to be spent on the scientific aspects of the mission. Orbital also worked closely with JHU during the spacecraft development phase to address evolving requirements so that no significant design changes occurred and costs were kept to a minimum.

Orbital is one of the largest space and information systems companies in the world, with 1998 revenues of about $735 million. The company, which is headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, employs over 5,000 people at its major facilities in the United States, Canada and several overseas locations. Orbital is the world’s leading manufacturer of low-cost space systems and products, including satellites, launch vehicles, electronics and sensors, satellite ground systems and software, and satellite-based navigation and communications products. Through its ORBCOMM and ORBIMAGE affiliates and ORBNAV subsidiary, Orbital is also a pioneering operator of satellite-based networks that provide data communications, high-resolution imagery and automotive information services to customers all around the world.

Contact: Barron Beneski, 7034065000, beneski.barron@orbital.com