United Launch Alliance 600th Atlas Mission Successfully Launches DMSP F18

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Oct 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Adding to the Atlas
rocket program's accomplished five decade legacy, a United Launch Alliance
Atlas V successfully launched the U.S. Air Force's Defense Meteorological
Satellite Program F18 (DMSP F18) mission from Space Launch Complex-3 here at
9:12 a.m. PDT, today. The DMSP F18 spacecraft was built for the Air Force by
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company in Sunnyvale, Calif.

This mission marked the 600th launch of an Atlas vehicle, carrying on a proud
tradition that began with the first Atlas A rocket launched from Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., in 1957. For the Atlas V, today's success
was the 18th for the program, with a 100 percent mission success rate. The
inaugural launch for the latest Atlas V configuration occurred from CCAFS on
Aug. 21, 2002.

"This is a proud moment in the 52 year history of the Atlas program and for
United Launch Alliance," said Mark Wilkins, ULA vice president, Atlas Product
Line. "First, I want to thank our Air Force customer for trusting ULA to
launch this important mission. I'd also like to recognize all the men and
women who have served on the Atlas team since 1957. Their determination,
dedication and attention to detail have made this significant milestone
possible. Combining our Atlas and Delta launch vehicle program's more than
100 years of experience gives ULA the most experienced space launch team in
the world."

During the program's history, 315 launches have taken place from CCAFS with
285 missions, including today's launch, launching from Vandenberg. While the
Atlas program has launched numerous important missions, it may be most famous
for launching Mercury astronauts John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra
and Gordon Cooper during the early days of human space flight. Atlas has also
launched several Moon and planetary missions including the recent Lunar
Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing
Satellite (LCROSS) mission on June 18.

This mission, designated AV-017, was launched aboard an Atlas V 401
configuration using the Common Core Booster powered by the RD-180 engine. The
17 previous Atlas V launches included three missions each for the Air Force,
NASA, and NRO along with eight for commercial customers.

ULA's next launch, currently scheduled for Nov. 14, is the Atlas V IntelSat-14
mission from Space Launch Complex-41 at CCAFS.

ULA program management, engineering, test and mission support functions are
headquartered in Denver, Colo. Manufacturing, assembly, and integration
operations are located at Decatur, Ala., Harlingen, Texas, San Diego, Calif.,
and Denver, Colo. Launch operations are located at Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, Fla., and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

For more information on the ULA joint venture, visit the ULA Web site at
www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321
(852-4321).

SOURCE United Launch Alliance

Michael Rein, +1-321-730-5646 (Office), +1-321-693-6250 (Cell) ,
Michael.j.rein@ulalaunch.com, Julie Andrews, +1-720-922-7121 (Office),
+1-303-974-8933 (Cell), julie.c.andrews@ulalaunch.com