Nation's Newest USAF Environmental Satellite Launched

VANDENBERG AFB, Calif., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Defense Meteorological
Satellite Program (DMSP) F-18 Block 5D-3 spacecraft, built under contract for
the U.S. Air Force by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), was launched this morning
from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. at 9:12 am PDT.

"After several years of building, integrating, upgrading and testing DMSP
F-18, our third Block 5D-3 spacecraft, it was enormously satisfying to see
this morning's launch and hear that we have a healthy satellite on orbit that
will carry out its vital mission of supporting our warfighters," said Sue
Stretch, Lockheed Martin DMSP program director. "Our partnership with the Air
Force dates to the very beginning of the DMSP program with a common goal of
ensuring that commanders have access to environmental data critical to the
preparation and execution of military operations."

The Block 5D-3 series accommodates larger sensor payloads than earlier
generations. They also feature a larger capability power subsystem; a more
powerful on-board computer with increased memory -- allowing greater
spacecraft autonomy -- and increased battery capacity that extends the mean
mission duration. Starting with F-17, the attitude control subsystem has also
been enhanced with the integration of a second inertial measurement unit using
ring laser, versus mechanical, gyros to provide greater precision pointing
flexibility.

DMSP is used for strategic and tactical weather prediction to aid the U.S.
military in planning operations at sea, on land and in the air. Equipped with
a sophisticated sensor suite that can image visible and infrared cloud cover
and measure precipitation, surface temperature, and soil moisture, the
satellite collects specialized global meteorological, oceanographic, and
solar-geophysical information in all weather conditions. The DMSP
constellation comprises two spacecraft in near-polar orbits, C3 (command,
control and communications), user terminals and weather centers. DMSP F-18 was
launched on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket.

Following DMSP F-18, two satellites remain to be launched and are maintained
at Space Systems' operations in Sunnyvale, Calif. for storage, functional
testing, and upgrading. The spacecraft are shipped to Vandenberg for launch
when requested by the Air Force. Since 1965, 37 Lockheed Martin DMSP
satellites have been launched successfully by the U.S. Air Force. Now in its
fourth decade of service, the DMSP has proven itself to be a valuable tool in
scheduling and protecting military operations on land, at sea and in the air.
The Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.
manages the DMSP program.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, a major operating unit of Lockheed
Martin Corporation, designs and develops, tests, manufactures and operates a
full spectrum of advanced-technology systems for national security and
military, civil government and commercial customers. Chief products include
human space flight systems; a full range of remote sensing, navigation,
meteorological and communications satellites and instruments; space
observatories and interplanetary spacecraft; laser radar; ballistic missiles;
missile defense systems; and nanotechnology research and development.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company
that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of
advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported
2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

NOTE TO EDITORS: High and low resolution images of the DMSP F-18 can be
found at: www.lockheedmartin.com/dmsp

Media Contacts: Buddy Nelson, (510) 797-0349; e-mail, buddynelson@mac.com,
Samantha Un, (408) 431-7230; e-mail, samantha.un@lmco.com

For additional information, visit our website:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com

SOURCE Lockheed Martin

Buddy Nelson, +1-510-797-0349, buddynelson@mac.com, or Samantha Un,
+1-408-431-7230, samantha.un@lmco.com