Orbital Sciences Corp. earned $6.8 million in the third quarter 2005, down from a profit of $11.4 million in the third quarter 2004, the company announced Oct. 20. Revenue fell from $171.7 million to $159.3 million in the same times period.

Orbital attributed the revenue decline to declines in the satellites and related space systems segment. Revenues in the segment slipped from $86.5 million in the third quarter 2004 to $74.8 million in 2005 due to lower activity in certain government programs that should be completed before the end of 2005. The decline was partially offset by higher communications satellites product line revenues.

Launch vehicles segment revenue was $79.8 million in the third quarter of 2005, which ended Sept. 30, compared to revenue of $80.2 million in the same quarter in 2004. The decline was due to decreases in the space launch vehicles and target launch vehicles product lines, which was offset by revenue growth in the interceptor launch vehicles product line.