WHAT:       

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and NASA are building the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Exploration Vehicle, a new spacecraft that will carry humans farther into space than ever before. Bay Area news media are invited to learn more about Orion when program managers visit Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company in Sunnyvale, Calif. where engineers are preparing to test the system that will jettison the panels covering Orion's service module following launch.

NASA Orion Program Manager Mark Geyer and Lockheed Martin Orion Deputy Program Manager Larry Price will be available for interviews during a tour of the manufacturing facility where the service module fairings are being tested.

WHEN:        

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WHERE:   

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company

1111 Lockheed Martin Way

Sunnyvale, CA 94089 [map]

Registered media meet at the Visitor's Center outside of the gate with your government-issued identification. Must RSVP prior to arrival.

CONTACT: 

Steve Tatum, (408) 742-7531, stephen.o.tatum@lmco.com

Gary Napier, 303-971-4012, cell: 720-224-7955; gary.p.napier@lmco.com

ABOUT ORION:

 NASA's Orion will have the ability to send humans to asteroids and eventually Mars. Its first uncrewed test flight will take place next year, when it will be launched farther into space than any spacecraft designed for humans has gone in more than 40 years, and return to Earth at speeds greater than 20,000 miles per hour. More information about Orion:
http://www.nasa.gov/orion or http://www.lockheedmartin.com/orion

NASA ADVISORY: 

Additional media opportunities about Orion are available in Northern California. See NASA's media advisory for dates and times, or contact Brandi Dean, 281-483-5111, brandi.k.dean@nasa.gov for more information.