The Stargazer L-1011 in flight with a Pegasus rocket bolted to its belly. Photo: Orbital

Orbital Sciences Corporation announced today that it has been awarded a contract by Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan, valued at up to $21 million, to provide launch support services for an experimental supersonic flight test program that is being sponsored by Japan's National Aerospace Laboratory. Under the contract, which is subject to annual budget reauthorization, Orbital will utilize its "Stargazer" L-1011 to carry a small-scale, unmanned supersonic airplane to a preplanned altitude and location, where it will be released to commence its autonomous flight. The ground activities and flight tests will originate from Woomera Airfield, Australia, with the first flight of the jet-powered experimental airplane scheduled to take place in 2005.

Orbital's L-1011 is a uniquely capable aircraft that has served as an airborne launch platform for operational launch vehicles and onboard flight experiments for several different aerospace programs. The aircraft, dubbed "Stargazer" by the company, has been used to launch 25 out of the 31 missions completed by Orbital's PegasusŪ space launch vehicle. The aircraft was also modified to accommodate NASA's X-34 reusable launch vehicle and completed two captive carry flights of the experimental rocket plane.

Orbital is one of the world's leading developers and manufacturers of affordable space systems for commercial, civil government and military customers. The company's primary products include low-orbit, geosynchronous and planetary spacecraft for communications, scientific and remote sensing missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense boosters that are used as target and interceptor vehicles. Orbital also offers space-related technical services to government agencies and develops and builds satellite-based transportation management systems for public transit and public works agencies, as well as private vehicle fleet operators.