Orbital's Taurus with the MTI Spacecraft awaits launch on Saturday afternoon.
 

About the MTI Satellite
 The MTI satellite carries a sophisticated telescope that collects images of the Earth, during the day and
 at night, in 15 spectral bands, ranging from the visible to long-wave infrared. The unique imaging
 instrument was designed and built by a government and industry team led by Sandia National
 Laboratories and was calibrated in a special facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory. It gives the
 satellite the ability to "see" reflected and thermally radiated electromagnetic waves not visible to the
 human eye with performance parameters previously achievable only in laboratory settings. To learn
 more about the satellite and its mission, visit the "news" section at http://www.sandia.gov on the Internet.
 

 About the Taurus Rocket
 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 Earth orbit. Taurus incorporates advanced structural and avionics technology proven
 on Pegasus and other operational launch systems. It is also designed for easy transportability, offering
 customers rapid-response launches from a wide range of locations. Including its debut flight in 1994,
 Orbital's Taurus rocket has now carried out five space missions, all of which have been successful. Prior
 to the MTI mission, the most recent Taurus launch occurred on December 20, 1999, when the rocket
 deployed two satellites - the KOMPSAT satellite for the Republic of Korea and the ACRIMSAT
 satellite for NASA.

 About Orbital
 Orbital is one of the largest space technology and satellite services companies in the world, with 1999
 revenues of about $900 million. The company, which is headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, employs over
 5,200 people at its major facilities in the United States, Canada and several overseas locations. Orbital
 is the world's leading manufacturer of low-cost space systems and products, including satellites, launch
 vehicles, electronics and sensors, satellite ground systems and software, and satellite-based navigation
 and communications products. Through its ORBCOMM and ORBIMAGE affiliates and ORBNAV
 subsidiary, Orbital is also a pioneering operator of satellite-based networks that provide data
 communications, high-resolution imagery and automotive information services to customers all around
 the world.