Lift-off of the Taurus rocket occurred at approximately 5:20 a.m. Pacific time on Febraury 10. After a flight of approximately 14 minutes, following a pre-programmed launch sequence controlled by Taurus' on-board flight computer, the GFO satellite was released from the rocket's fourth stage into a near-perfect orbit of approximately 775 km., inclined at 108 degrees. Approximately two minutes later, the first ORBCOMM satellite was deployed, followed about a minute later by the second ORBCOMM spacecraft, into approximately the same orbit as the GFO satellite. ORBCOMM satellite controllers have established communications with both spacecraft and initial indications are that they are in excellent health and operating as expected.

Today's launch was Orbital's first space mission in 1998, following a perfect five-for-five space launch success record in 1997. For 1998, Orbital plans a busy launch schedule, with one more Taurus launch and eight launches of its Pegasus rocket. Two of the Pegasus rockets will carry eight ORBCOMM satellites each, completing the initial 28 satellite mobile data communications constellation.

The Taurus Launch System

Orbital developed the ground-launched Taurus vehicle to provide a cost- effective, reliable means of launching satellites weighing up to 3,000 pounds into low-Earth orbit, or up to 800 pounds into geosynchronous orbit. Taurus incorporates advanced structural and avionics technology proven on Pegasus and other operational launch systems and is designed for easy transportability, offering customers rapid-response launches from a wide range of locations.

The first Taurus launch occurred in March 1994 and placed two U.S. Department of Defense satellites precisely into their target orbits. Since then, Orbital has developed an upgraded Taurus vehicle to meet the need for greater performance and payload volume. The vehicle being used for the GFO/ORBCOMM mission has several different features compared to the original Taurus configuration, including a larger payload fairing (92 inch versus 62 inch diameter) and a more powerful first stage, the commercial Castor 120 motor built by Thiokol Corporation.

The GFO Satellite

The primary payload for today's Taurus mission was the U.S. Navy's GFO satellite. It is an 813 lb. spacecraft built by Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. for the U.S. Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. The satellite will use a radar altimeter and a water vapor radiometer to precisely measure the subtle differences in sea surface height associated with ocean currents and eddies. The altimeter will also provide information about wave height and sea and glacier ice. GFO will transmit this oceanographic information directly to ships at sea and to Navy facilities on shore. The data from the mission is intended to enhance the effectiveness of Navy weapon and sensor systems.

The ORBCOMM Satellites

The deployment of the two ORBCOMM satellites was another major step forward in Orbital's deployment of the low-orbit ORBCOMM mobile data communications satellite network. The two satellites launched by Taurus represent the 11th and 12th spacecraft in ORBCOMM planned constellation of 28 spacecraft. In December, Orbital launched eight ORBCOMM satellites aboard its Pegasus rocket that are now undergoing final testing before they are placed in commercial service, which is expected to occur in March.

Following today's launch, the two ORBCOMM satellites will undergo standard spacecraft checkout procedures to ensure that they are operating as planned, as well as to make adjustments to their orbital positions using small onboard thrusters. Like the first two ORBCOMM satellites, which were also launched into a polar orbit in 1995, these satellites will increase total communications system coverage over the higher latitude regions of the Earth. The satellites are expected to be placed into commercial service in about 90 days.

The ORBCOMM Network

ORBCOMM Global, L.P. is a partnership of Orbital, which owns 50% of the company, Teleglobe Inc. of Canada and TRI Inc. of Malaysia. ORBCOMM is the world's first mobile satellite services provider offering two-way data and messaging communications globally through a network of international service licensees, covering over 90 countries, and in North America through more than 35 value-added resellers and direct sales channels. It is fully licensed by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and is currently providing communications services in the U.S. and Canada. It has also been granted spectrum worldwide by the International Telecommunications Union.

Applications for ORBCOMM's data and messaging services include mobile industrial asset tracking and fixed-site monitoring. With its two operational satellites that were launched in 1995, ORBCOMM currently offers global data communications services to customers in the transportation, marine, oil and gas, utility, heavy equipment and defense-related industries. As more satellites are deployed and the system's coverage increases, ORBCOMM expects to develop applications for the two-way personal messaging and paging markets.

ORBCOMM maintains its corporate and administrative offices, as well as its state-of-the-art Network Control Center, in Dulles, VA, approximately 30 miles outside of Washington, D.C. It currently operates four gateway ground stations in the U.S., and is constructing and activating additional ground stations in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America this year.

About Orbital

Orbital is one of the ten largest space-related companies in North America, with 1997 sales of over $600 million and a work force of 4,000 people. The company is the world's leading manufacturer of low-cost space systems and products. Through its ORBCOMM and ORBIMAGE subsidiaries, Orbital is also a pioneering operator of satellite networks that provide communications and imagery services to customers all around the world.

Since its founding in 1982, Orbital (including several predecessor companies) has built and launched, or now has on order, nearly 350 small- and medium-class satellites and small launch vehicles. It has also produced over 15,000 space-related sensors and electronics systems and has installed satellite ground stations in more than 25 countries.

The company's Magellan subsidiary is the world's premier producer of mobile satellite access products. Magellan offers the broadest line of products that use the Global Positioning System (GPS), from hand-held consumer models that retail for $99 to advanced technology, high-precision units for industrial and scientific uses. Using GPS and other technologies, Magellan's PathMaster(TM) is the most popular satellite-based car navigation system in the U.S., with over 10,000 units installed. In addition, Magellan produces state-of-the-art satellite communications products, including satellite telephones and hand-held personal messaging units for the ORBCOMM network.

Finally, Orbital is now building a strong position in the rapidly growing market for satellite-delivered services. In addition to ORBCOMM's data communications services, Orbital's ORBIMAGE subsidiary is offering satellite- based Earth imaging services worldwide with two operational satellites, OrbView-1 and -2, and with the OrbView-3 and -4 high-resolution digital imaging satellites expected to be in service in 1999 and 2000, respectively.