DENVER, April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) Space Systems Company campuses across the nation today opened their doors to over 3,200 children aged six to 18 years to introduce them to the wonders of science, physics and mathematics in the space industry through its annual event "Young Minds at Work" day. The event inspires children to consider science, technology, engineering and mathematics education by demonstrating applications in our everyday life.

"Inspiring our youth to explore the world around them is not just important to our company but to the global economy," said Joanne Maguire, executive vice president for Space Systems Company. "Children exploring science, technology, engineering and math today will be our leaders of tomorrow, innovating for a better and healthier planet. Young Minds at Work is one way Lockheed Martin invests in our children by tapping their natural curiosities and problem solving skills."

Lockheed Martin employees and contractors sponsored their children at company facilities in Alabama, California, Colorado and Pennsylvania. Some of the activities included:

• Practicing docking a spacecraft with the International Space Station at the company's Space Operations and Simulation Center; viewing the first Orion spacecraft, National Aeronautical Space Administration's next-generation human spaceflight vehicle – Denver, Colo.;  
• Viewing Magnetic Doppler Imaging space weather forecasting with holographic three-dimensional models of the sun to demonstrate magnetic storms' affect on pagers, satellites, power transmission, radio communications and air travel – Palo Alto, Calif.;
• Flying an airplane in a simulator; driving a radio-controlled car; rendezvousing with the International Space Station. Seeing a helicopter, Indy and Formula 1 car, and a hybrid concept car up close – Sunnyvale, Calif.;
• Participating in a geocache treasure hunt to understand global positioning system and sensing and exploration technology – Newtown, Penn.;
• Launching water bottle rockets to study propulsion and pressurization techniques; peering inside computers to see how they work; and learning principles of astronomy while gazing at the night sky in a portable planetarium. – Huntsville, Ala.
• Using water balloons to study flight trajectories, and visiting the local airport for a primer on aviation. – Courtland, Ala.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, a major operating unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a full spectrum of advanced-technology systems for national security, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include human space flight systems; a full range of remote sensing, navigation, meteorological and communications satellites and instruments; space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft; laser radar; fleet ballistic missiles; and missile defense systems.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

Media Contacts:
Gary Napier, Denver, CO, 303.971.4012; e-mail, gary.p.napier@lmco.com
Lauren Wonder, Sunnyvale, CA, 408.756.4225; e-mail, lauren.e.wonder@lmco.com
Dee Valleras, Newtown, PA, 215.497.4185; e-mail, dee.valleras@lmco.com
Buddy Nelson, Palo Alto, CA, 510.797.0349; e-mail buddy.nelson@lmco.com
Lynn Fisher, Huntsville and Courtland, AL, 408.742.7606; e-mail, lynn.m.fisher@lmco.com

SOURCE Lockheed Martin