Finance

As we were going press, developments within the global satellite community were at an all-time high. Business strategies were advancing and financial community interest in satellite-enabled services was gaining momentum within many industry sectors. The fourth quarter kicked off with headline news of Lockheed Martin announcing the sale of its ownership interests in Lockheed Khrunichev...

The board of International Launch Services Inc. (ILS) appointed Frank McKenna the company’s president, as Lockheed Martin Corp. completed the sale of its interests in the international joint venture. Lockheed Martin’s interests in Lockheed Khrunichev Energia International Inc. and ILS have been transferred to Space Transport Inc., a company formed specifically for the transaction by...

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Oct. 3 granted anti-trust clearance to the United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture that will combine the government launch operations of Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp. The clearance remains subject to compliance with a consent order that both parties have approved and which will govern certain activities...

 By Lisa Daniel After enduring years of low prices created by too many vehicles and too few satellites, the commercial launch industry is undergoing a market correction that is filling manifests and creating competitive services and alliances as well as some new players. For customers, the shift in supply and demand has meant rising prices...

After a few frustrating years of slow launch rates due to a depressed commercial launch market as well as satellite manufacturing delays, Sea Launch is on target to perform six missions in 2006, a single-year record for the commercial provider. The previous high for Sea Launch, which lofts satellites into orbit aboard the Zenit-3SL rocket...

Lockheed Martin Corp.‘s plan to unload its controlling share of the International Launch Services (ILS) joint venture has raised questions about the future of ILS and whether the Atlas 5 rocket will be a player in the commercial launch market. Lockheed Martin will sell its share of ILS to Space Transport Inc., which is being...

Lockheed Martin Corp. will sell its share of the International Launch Services (ILS) joint venture to a consultant who has advised the aerospace and defense giant on the launch venture, Lockheed Martin announced Sept. 7. Lockheed Martin will sell its ownership interests in ILS and Lockheed Khrunichev Energia International Inc. (LKEI) to Space Transport Inc.,...

By Lisa Daniel After enduring years of low prices created by too many vehicles and too few satellites, the commercial launch industry is undergoing a market correction that is filling manifests and creating competitive services and alliances as well as some new players. For customers, the shift in supply and demand has meant rising prices...

In our June column, we reviewed the history and status of small satellites, generally considered to be those weighing less than 500 kilograms when fully fueled, from the commercial side. The other area in which small satellites will play a growing role is governmental civil and military use. Under the 500-kilogram umbrella, a few subcategories...

NASA selected Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and Rocketplane Kistler to demonstrate their ability to loft cargo and eventually crew members to the International Space Station (ISS). In the demonstration contracts, each firm would have to demonstrate various proficiencies, including a test flight in 2008. The demonstration contracts would be worth about $207 million for Rocketplane...