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Lockheed Martin and U.S. Air Force Successfully Launch Titan IV with Defense Support Program Satellite on Board

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL, August 6th, 2001 -- A Titan IV B rocket roared off its launch pad at Complex 40 early this morning carrying a Defense Support Program (DSP) satellite for the U.S. Air Force. Liftoff was right on time at 3:28 a.m. EDT. The satellite will join the Air Force's DSP constellation in providing early warning of missile launches worldwide. An inertial upper stage (IUS) transferred the satellite to its final orbit. "This morning's launch demonstrated the Titan IV team's commitment to deliver important assets to space and make a lasting contribution to the security of our country and our allies," said G. Thomas Marsh, president-Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company-Astronautics Operations. "Titan IV remains the workhorse heavy-lifter for the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense."

This was the second of four launches planned this year on the Titan IV B, the nation's most powerful expendable launch vehicle. Titan IV B is capable of boosting payloads weighing 47,800 pounds into low-Earth orbit or more than 12,700 pounds into geosynchronous orbit.

The Titan IV B launch vehicle was built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company-Astronautics Operations at its facilities in Denver, Colo. The IUS was built by The Boeing Company under separate contract with the U.S. Air Force at facilities in Kent, Wash. The satellite was built by TRW in Redondo Beach, Calif.

Today's Titan IV launch was the 32nd overall including 22 from Cape Canaveral and 10 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Lockheed Martin Astronautics Operations in Denver, Colo., is under contract to the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., to complete the launch of 39 vehicles. The contract will extend into 2003. As prime contractor and systems integrator, the company builds the first and second stages and provides overall program management and launch services.

Other members of the Titan IV contractor team and their responsibilities include: GenCorp Aerojet Propulsion Division, Sacramento, Calif., liquid rocket engines; Alliant Techsystems, Magna, Utah, solid rocket motor upgrade; The Boeing Company, Huntington Beach, Calif., payload fairing; and Honeywell Space Systems, Clearwater, Fla., advanced guidance.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, headquartered in Denver, Colo., is one of the major operating units of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Space Systems designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a variety of advanced technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include a full-range of space launch systems, including heavy-lift capability, ground systems, remote sensing and communications satellites for commercial and government customers, advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.

Julie Andrews, Lockheed Martin Evan McCollum, Lockheed Martin
Phone: (321)853-1567 Phone:(303)977-5937
Pager: (800)722-7717 Pager:(800)621-8063
Email: julie.c.andrews@lmco.com Email: evan.d.mccollum@lmco.com