Scope and Contents

This collection includes information relating to OSC's various programs, services, and launch vehicles, including ORBCOMM, ORBIMAGE, SeaStar, Pegasus, VaStar, OrbNet, DataSat-X, Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS) vehicle, Taurus, and PegaStar. Also included are OSC's joint ventures, agreements, and correspondence with several companies including Hercules Aerospace Company, Gova, Inc., and Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology (CIT). Information relating to smaller OSC companies (such as MacDonald, Dettwiler, and Associates, Incorporated and Magellan) is also included. The types of materials present in this collection include articles, brochures, correspondence, press releases, advertisements, and photographs.

Biographical / Historical

Founded in 1982 with the goal of making space technology more affordable, Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) still remains a successful company. Claiming to be the industry leader in the development and production of small space and rocket systems, OSC produces various satellites, rockets, and other small and affordable space technologies. The Pegasus Rocket, a joint venture, was the first privately developed space launch vehicle. In 1991, the four men who invented, developed, and produced this rocket (one of which was the founder and CEO of OSC, David W. Thompson) were awarded the National Medal of Technology. Currently OSC has conducted more than 500 space missions, and continues to provide more economically practical space technology solutions.