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ORBITAL'S FUSE SATELLITE DISPLAYING FLAWLESS PERFORMANCE DURING EARLY IN-ORBIT CHECKOUT

Company-Built Spacecraft to Study Origins and Evolution of the Universe for NASA

(Dulles, Virginia 25 June 1999) -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that the company's latest spacecraft, the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE), is in excellent health following a successful launch aboard a Delta II rocket on June 24, 1999. As a result of data gathered from initial tests, a team of Orbital engineers has determined that the 3,000-lb. (1,350-kg) FUSE satellite's main systems are performing as expected. The satellite is generating full electrical power, indicating that its solar arrays are properly deployed and tracking the Sun, and it is conducting reliable communications with its ground control center, located in Baltimore, Maryland. Once further tests are completed over the next two weeks, the satellite's science instrument, built by The Johns Hopkins University (JHU), will be turned on to begin mission operations.

JHU is the prime contractor for the entire 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 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