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Virginia Opens Unmanned Aircraft Runway on Wallops Island

~After cutting ribbon, Governor McAuliffe becomes first governor to fly in autonomous aircraft~

WALLOPS ISLAND – Governor Terry McAuliffe today celebrated the opening of Virginia's newest asset in drone technology research – a runway for unmanned aircraft – and then experienced the future of aviation firsthand by flying in a plane that can be piloted from the ground.

Governor McAuliffe visited NASA Wallops Flight Facility for a ribbon-cutting on the runway, a $5.8 million state-funded project officially known as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (MARS UAS) Airfield.

“The MARS UAS Airfield presents a significant new capability for Wallops and the Hampton Roads region,” Governor McAuliffe said. “It propels Virginia further on its quest to become a national leader in autonomous technology and industry, which is at the heart of our efforts to build a new Virginia economy.”

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Governor McAuliffe boarded an Aurora Centaur, an optionally piloted aircraft that can be operated remotely from a ground control station, and flew in the plane over Wallops Island.

“This new facility at Wallops provides government and commercial users with a runway under restricted airspace on a secure federal facility – discreetness that is of high interest for research and development,” Virginia Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne said.

“The new UAS runway is an outstanding and strategic addition to the vast array of unmanned systems assets in the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson. “The addition of these unique capabilities will provide the opportunity for even more companies and organizations to test their systems in Virginia.”

Orbital ATK Conducts Test of Antares First Stage

Initial Data Points to Successful “Hot Fire” of Upgraded First Stage and New Propulsion System Company on Track for July Launch of OA-5 CRS Mission to the International Space Station from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility

Dulles, VA 31 May 2016 – Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, today announced it conducted a full-power "hot fire" test of the upgraded first stage propulsion system of its Antares medium-class rocket using new RD-181 main engines. The 30-second test took place at 5:30 p.m. (EDT) on May 31, 2016 at Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad 0A. Initial indications are that the test was fully successful. The Antares engineering team will review test data over the next several days to confirm that all test parameters were met. Assuming the success of the test is confirmed, it will clear the way for the resumption of Orbital ATK’s cargo logistics missions to the International Space Station (ISS) from Wallops Island, Virginia, currently scheduled for July.

Antares First Stage Rolled Out for Test at MARS Pad 0A

Orbital ATK’s Antares first stage with the new engines is rolled from NASA Wallops Flight Facility’s Horizontal Integration Facility to Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport  Pad-0A on May 12, 2016 in preparation for the upcoming stage test in the next few weeks. The team will continue to work meticulously as they begin final integration and check outs on the pad and several readiness reviews prior to the test. The window for the stage test will be over multiple days to ensure technical and weather conditions are acceptable.

Governor McAuliffe Announces Multi-Year Contract for Commercial Space Flight in Virginia

NASA awards contract to Orbital ATK to launch payloads from Wallops Island spaceport

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe, along with U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, announced today NASA awarded a new multiyear contract to Orbital ATK, a Virginia based company, to deliver cargo and supplies to the International Space Station from spaceports, including the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) located at Wallops Island.

"This is a big win for Virginia and space exploration," said Governor McAuliffe. "As a result of collaboration with our federal partners in NASA and our congressional delegation, NASA will continue an important contract that brings our state to the national forefront in the commercial space business, creating jobs and strengthening Virginia’s new economy.  We have a come a long way in the last year.  MARS has fully recovered from the October 2014 launch mishap, repaired damaged portions of the spaceport and the state reached an agreement with Orbital regarding repair costs and insurance coverage.  MARS is open for business and the return to space flight."

Completion Of Repairs at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0A

Norfolk, Va. September 30, 2015

RELEASE: IMMEDIATE

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NORFOLK, Va. – Today, September 30, marks the completion of the major repair work at the Virginia Space – MARS Launch Pad-0A, located on NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. This is a significant milestone in support of Orbital ATK resuming cargo resupply service with the upgraded Antares launch vehicle to the International Space Station for NASA.