ILS wins Air Force Atlas 5 contract
Posted: Mon, Nov 3, 2003, 7:28 PM ET (0028 GMT)
International Launch Services (ILS) announced Monday that the Air Force has authorized it to begin preparations for the second military launch on an Atlas 5. Under the authorization ILS can begin integrating the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite 3 (WGS-3) for an Atlas 5 launch in early 2006. Earlier this year the Air Force gave a similar authorization for the Atlas 5 launch of WGS-2 in late 2005, which will be the first military launch of the Atlas 5. ILS also won a contract earlier this year to launch NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto in 2006, and also switched a previously-awarded contract to launch NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter from an Atlas 3 to an Atlas 5. The Atlas 5 has carried out three launches since August 2002, all for commercial customers. ILS and Lockheed Martin plan to rely more on military and civil government customers for the Atlas 5, though, due to the tight commercial launch market.
International Launch Services (ILS) announced Monday that the Air Force has authorized it to begin preparations for the second military launch on an Atlas 5. Under the authorization ILS can begin integrating the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite 3 (WGS-3) for an Atlas 5 launch in early 2006. Earlier this year the Air Force gave a similar authorization for the Atlas 5 launch of WGS-2 in late 2005, which will be the first military launch of the Atlas 5. ILS also won a contract earlier this year to launch NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto in 2006, and also switched a previously-awarded contract to launch NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter from an Atlas 3 to an Atlas 5. The Atlas 5 has carried out three launches since August 2002, all for commercial customers. ILS and Lockheed Martin plan to rely more on military and civil government customers for the Atlas 5, though, due to the tight commercial launch market.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, February 19
More than 150 employees made redundant as rocket manufacturer officially enters administration
Inverness (UK) Courier — 6:40 am ET (1140 GMT) Orbex appoints FRP as administrators, advisory firm says
Global Banking and Finance Review — 6:39 am ET (1139 GMT) More than 150 staff facing axe as Scots manufacturing firm plunges into administration
The Sun — 6:39 am ET (1139 GMT) Scots space rocket company enters administration
STV — 6:38 am ET (1138 GMT) FRP Advisory administrators appointed to Scottish space launch company Orbex
Scottish Financial News — 6:38 am ET (1138 GMT) |
