Lockheed Martin reported net sales from its Space Systems segment increased 6 percent for the year to $6.38 billion from $6.02 billion in 2003. The annual figure was boosted in the fourth quarter by two commercial satellite deliveries and higher volume on government satellite programs. Lockheed Martin said increases in satellite sales as well as in strategic and defensive missile systems offset a decrease in the company’s launch services segment. While the company did not provide specific numbers in its launch services segment, it said the lower volume was mainly due to a decline in the Titan launch vehicle program. However, the company noted that loss was offset by increases in the Atlas (six launches in 2004, up from five in 2003) and Proton (four launches in 2004, up from two in 2003) programs.

For the company overall, Lockheed Martin reported net sales of $35.5 billion in 2004, up from $31.8 billion in 2003. Net earnings for the year also increased to $1.27 billion from $1.1 billion in the previous year.