Leading the nation's most notable aerospace projects.

Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle

Orion CEV Lockheed Martin Space Systems is the prime contractor for the Orion project, an $8.2 billion contract to design and build a state-of-the-art Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) that will replace the Space Shuttle as NASA's primary spacecraft for human space exploration.

Orion is a significant part of NASA's Constellation Program to carry a new generation of astronauts back to the International Space Station, back to the Moon – and eventually to Mars.

Over 600 employees in Lakewood are completing engineering, development, and design work for Orion, named for one of the most recognizable star formations. NASA will fly remaining Space Shuttle missions through 2010 and plans its first unmanned flight of Orion in 2012, a manned flight in 2014, and a flight to the moon by 2020.

Other major projects

GPS OCX – The U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center awarded Raytheon a $160 million contract to develop the next-generation global positioning system control segment (GPS OCX), which will enhance warfighter and civilian GPS performance.
GRAIL – Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Jefferson County won a NASA contract to build twin spacecraft that will orbit the moon to analyze its internal structure and gravitational field. The $375 million Gravitational Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission is set to launch in 2011.
Kepler – Boulder-based Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. will seek other Earth-sized planets capable of supporting life with the $500 million Kepler Mission, set to launch in 2009.
Orbital Express – The Orbital Express mission launched in early 2007 to test technologies for refueling, reconfiguring, and repairing satellites in-orbit. Ball Aerospace provided the Next Generation Satellite and Commodities spacecraft (NEXTSat / CSC), ground support equipment, and participated in launch and mission operations.
United Launch Alliance – The U.S. Air Force awarded Centennial-based United Launch Alliance a $505 million contract to provide launch services for three National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) satellites aboard Delta IV rockets under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program.
Worldview-1 – Longmont-based DigitalGlobe launched its WorldView-1 satellite in 2007. Built by Ball Aerospace, WorldView-1 is the world’s only half-meter resolution commercial imaging satellite. ITT Visual Information Solutions in Boulder developed key software components to ensure image quality.