Dignitaries from NASA, Lockheed Martin and the State of Mississippi today opened the new Lockheed Martin Mississippi Space & Technology Center, an advanced propulsion, thermal, and metrology facility located at the John C. Stennis Space Center, Mississippi.

The facility represents a partnership between the Corporation's Space Systems and Technology Services companies, the State of Mississippi, Hancock County and NASA. Lockheed Martin Space Systems will operate a spacecraft propulsion and thermal system product center. Lockheed Martin Technology Services will establish a world-class Integrated Metrology Center and provide engineering and manufacturing services. Both will be housed in the same facility with operations expected to begin in the Fall of 2002. Approximately 270 jobs will be created at the center. These jobs reflect the projected needs of the two Lockheed Martin companies and their potential customers.

"By opening the doors of this world-class facility, the State of Mississippi, NASA and Lockheed Martin have ushered in a new era of high-tech jobs for the Gulf Coast in the 21st Century," said Lockheed Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Vance Coffman. "The Lockheed Martin Mississippi Space & Technology Center will allow the Corporation to achieve economies of scale by serving multiple sites with standard processes and strategic partnerships with our suppliers. I want to thank all those involved in making this a reality."

"Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company will operate a preeminent facility for spacecraft propulsion and thermal protection systems," said Albert E. Smith, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Space Systems. "The activities performed in this facility will allow the Corporation to achieve discriminating technical advantages in meeting critical mission needs for our valued customer's space programs."

Mike Camardo, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Technology Services added, "This new center is the cornerstone of Lockheed Martin's Integrated Metrology initiative. We have designed and equipped a facility that will provide the highest levels of calibration services to our government and commercial customers as well as to our internal programs. We are excited by the new opportunities the center will provide in expanding the metrology line of business and improving support to our customers."

Activities performed in the approximate 220,000 square-foot center will include the integration of propulsion systems, used for satellites and other spacecraft produced by Lockheed Martin Space Systems. The thermal control systems produced at the facility will protect space vehicles from the extreme temperatures of the space environment. These systems include multi-layer insulation thermal blankets and engine heat shields. Metrology refers to the science of measurement, and this center will be responsible for the highest level of "primary standards" in the extremely precise calibration of test equipment and tools.

The State of Mississippi and Hancock County will partner with Lockheed Martin in the specialized training required for those hired to work at the center. Lockheed Martin officials cited the proximity to NASA's propulsion center of excellence -- also based at Stennis -- as critical to the decision to consolidate its world-class capabilities in one place. The result will be better service to the Corporation's customers.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's core businesses are Systems Integration, Space Systems, Aeronautics and Technology Services. Lockheed Martin had 2001 sales surpassing $24 billion.

For more information about Lockheed Martin Corporation, please visit our web site at: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/ .

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Corporation