DENVER, May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA's designation of the Orion crew exploration vehicle as the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) provides our nation with a sound solution for deep space mission capability within the currently proposed budgets. This path forward will soon enable humans to venture out into the cosmos to explore and study interplanetary destinations never before seen or touched by mankind. NASA's commitment will ensure that our nation maintains a strong global leadership position in space exploration through a robust program designed to be safe, affordable and sustainable over the next several decades.  

The Orion/MPCV spacecraft was designed from program inception to serve as the nation's next generation spacecraft to take humans far beyond low Earth orbit to multiple destinations throughout our solar system. With a proven launch abort system, cutting edge technology advancement and state-of-the-art fabrication and assembly facilities, the NASA-Lockheed Martin Orion team is moving our nation's strong, viable space industry expeditiously into the future. New systems and technology continue to be developed and tested every week, such as the STS-134 on-orbit test of an innovative navigation sensor that will set the new standard for safer, more accurate docking operations for all future spacecraft -- crewed and uncrewed.

Lockheed Martin will continue to work closely with NASA to achieve Orion/MPCV initial crewed operations by 2016, consistent with the NASA Authorization Act of 2010. Affordability initiatives to streamline infrastructure requirements, reduce risk and optimize Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) development are just a few examples of how we are working together to make government/industry teaming more efficient. We appreciate the confidence that NASA has placed in Lockheed Martin and commend the Agency for ensuring our nation's human spaceflight program has a strong future.

We are proud to be part of the NASA-industry team building a safe, reliable Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle that will support America's future human space flight endeavors on a series of increasingly challenging human exploration missions to destinations throughout our solar system on the path to Mars.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) 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.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin