By David McGlinchey
Global Security Newswire

WASHINGTON — U.S. defense contractor Orbital Sciences test launched the first prototype of its missile defense boost vehicle last Thursday and officials hope to conduct a fully integrated intercept test later this year, according to a company official (see GSN, Dec. 9, 2002).

The launch was “excellent,” Orbital spokesman Barron Beneski said.

There were “no issues.  The vehicle performed fully, as expected,” he added.

The launch is the first of several planned for this year, according to Beneski.  Each one will be more complex than the last and the company expects to attempt an intercept flight in the second half of this year (see GSN, Jan. 7).

The boost vehicle, dubbed Taurus Lite, is being developed for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Ground-based Midcourse Defense system.  Orbital Sciences is producing the boost vehicle under a contract with lead systems integrator Boeing.

Lockheed Martin is also developing a GMD boost vehicle and Boeing officials are scheduled to decide between the two options later this year.

Officials launched the unarmed rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.  This was the first launch from Vandenberg this year, according to a Missile Defense Agency release.

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