Orbital Sciences Corp. has announced a record-setting year of new space business for the Dulles, Va. firm. Orbital announced that 1997 brought in a record $1.7 billion in new business
contracts. New orders for the company's varied space product lines outpaced annual revenues by more than 3 to 1, the highest "book to bill" ratio in the firm's history.
Orbital's space and ground infrastructure systems of satellites, launch vehicles, sensors and electronics was
bolstered by last year's acquisition of CTA, Inc., a small satellite maker. The satellite segment accounted for more
than $1 billion of the new orders. The launch vehicle business, consisting of sales of the Pegasus XL and Taurus
launchers as well as research Sounding Rockets, brought in $400 million. The back order book for OSC launches
shows more than 60 launches planned over the next five years.
The company also brought in $200 million in new business for sensors and electronics systems. The company is
reporting a total backlog of $2.9 billion, including options. Some $1 billion of that total are firm orders, the company
reported yesterday. OSC's bottom line was helped last year by a flawless five flights of the Pegasus XL winged
space booster.
The company faces a major test of its launch vehicle services at the end of the month with the launch of its
second Taurus rocket, planned to loft a Navy research satellite. Sales of the Taurus have lagged far behind the
winged Pegasus, and industry analysts say a success would go far in helping marketers sell the vehicle, which
closely resembles the Pegasus in performance and design, although without wings.
