Higher volumes in satellite programs helped Lockheed Martin Corp.’s Space Systems segment post gains in revenues and operating profit in the 2006 third quarter, the company announced Oct. 24.

The segment reported revenues of $1.9 billion and operating profit of $176 million in the quarter, which closed Sept. 30. In the 2005 third quarter, Space Systems reported an operating profit of $154 million on revenues of $1.7 billion.

Space Systems delivered one commercial satellite in the 2006 third quarter and four to date this year, compared to none during the comparable 2005 periods. Launch services revenues remained relatively unchanged from a year ago, Lockheed Martin said, though the gain in operating profit was attributed to launch services, which offset a slight decline in satellites.

Overall, Lockheed Martin posted a profit of $629 million on revenues of $9.6 billion in the 2006 third quarter, up from earnings of $427 million on revenues of $9.2 billion in the same period a year ago.