Lockheed Martin Space Systems hopes to achieve a turnover of up to $7.2 billion in 2002.
This is despite a deterioration of the space market, which is suffering from 50% overcapacity, according to Tom Marsh, president and general manager, astronautics sector.
Forecasts for the required number of launches is level for the next five years, while new satellite buses remain grounded as customers fall away. Commercial space still represents 25% of the revenue and launches 8%.
The change of market began in 1998 as the promise of fleets of low Earth orbit mobile communications satellites and large broadband geostationary satellites faded and the hyped-up projections proved unrealistic.
Successful
But launches are still required and Space Systems has completed a run of 20 successive successful orbital deliveries and is preparing to launch the new Atlas V in August.
The booster has completed its final countdown simulation and has been cleared to launch from from Lockheed's launch pad 41 at Cape Canaveral.
The Atlas V will take over government launches after five flights of the last Titans – three Titan IVs and two Titan IIs.
It is also being used for commercial missions, operated by the Lockheed-led International Launch Services company.
Space Systems is also active in systems IT, government satellite programmes and strategic systems, including missiles.
Source: Flight Daily News
