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Lockheed Martin Radiators Launched to the International Space Station

DALLAS, TX, November 25th, 2002 -- Three Lockheed Martin-produced Heat Rejection Subsystem (HRS) radiators were launched aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour Saturday destined for the International Space Station (ISS).

The radiators send excess heat from inside the Space Station's pressurized modules into space, providing a comfortable environment for astronauts to live, work and conduct scientific experiments.

Lockheed Martin has produced more than 21,000 pounds of deployable radiators at its Missiles and Fire Control facility in Grand Prairie, Texas.

"The International Space Station is a critical scientific platform for our nation and for our planet," said Harold Howell, engineering project manager for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "There are now nine Lockheed Martin radiators on the Space Station, which has tremendous potential for scientific discovery. It's rewarding to know that the radiators produced here in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex will play such an important role in the success of the Space Station."

Lockheed Martin is under contract to The Boeing Company to produce six HRS and five Photovoltaic Radiator (PVR) radiators for the ISS. Three PVRs have been successfully operating on the Station for nearly two years, along with the three HRS radiators launched in October 2002. The two final PVRs are expected to make their journey from Kennedy Space Center to the Space Station in late 2003 and early 2004.

The HRS radiators work in a fashion similar to the way a radiator cools a car engine. Heat within the modules is collected at various points and transferred into fluid (99.9 percent pure liquid ammonia) that enters the radiator through pipes on one side and is distributed to 22 tubes crossing each of eight panels in a radiator array. As the fluid flows through each panel, heat is radiated off into space, thus cooling the fluid. The cooler fluid flows out the other side of the radiator and back to ISS, where it cools the astronauts and equipment. This process is repeated continuously to provide the required cooling.

With participation of 16 countries, the International Space Station is the largest international peacetime scientific program in history. Once complete, the ISS will have a length of 360 feet and a width of 290 feet, and will be visible from Earth on a clear day or evening with the naked eye. The average orbit altitude is 220 miles, with an orbital speed of 17,500 miles per hour. The station orbits the Earth 18 times per day.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control produces the Heat Rejection and Photovoltaic Radiators for the ISS, as well as the Nose Cone, Chin Panel and Wing Leading Edges of the Space Shuttle.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control develops, manufactures and integrates world-class air defense, fire support, strike weapon, naval munition, combat vision, anti-armor and advanced product solutions and systems for U.S. and international armed forces.

Craig Vanbebber, 972-603-1615
e-mail craig.vanbebber@lmco.com