Orbital Sciences buys spacecraft facility from General Dynamics

Orbital Sciences is positioning itself as a major player in the medium-class satellite market with its purchase of a General Dynamics-owned spacecraft development and manufacturing facility earlier this month. Analysts say the latest purchase readies the company to take on larger projects, particularly as the government looks to less-expensive, smaller satellite systems. The move comes during an unsettled time for NASA and the space industry following President Obama's decision to end much of the Constellation program -- a human space exploration effort -- as well as his plans to pursue a "transformative agenda" for the agency. Orbital spokesman Barron Beneski said the addition of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems' Gilbert (AZ)spacecraft development and manufacturing business not only adds 325 employees -- many with coveted security clearances -- but also provides the company with a state-of-the-art facility. Orbital paid $55 million in cash for the unit, which it expects will contribute an equal level of revenue by the end of the year. The business was originally founded as Spectrum Astro, and General Dynamics purchased it in 2004.