This is a scaled claim based on the number of successful launches carried out by the Orbital Sciences Pegasus launch vehicle during 1996. The claim will pay $.15 for each successful launch after March 10, 1996. A successful launch will be defined as one in which the payload can be used for its intended mission.
Background
Orbital Sciences Corp. (at http://www.orbital.com) is a non-government-subsidized, publicly- owned company which develops and launches the Pegasus air-launched booster.
The Pegasus is dropped from a converted Lockheed L-1011 at around 12,000 meters ASL and then ignites, sending a payload of a small satellite into Low Earth Orbit. In 1995, two Pegasus vehicles failed, resulting in a massive redesign effort by Orbital Sciences. On Saturday, March 9, 1996, the most recent Pegasus launched successful, and sent a U.S.A.F. REX II satellite into a 450 x 439 mile polar orbit.
Orbital Sciences has a backlog of 14 missions for the Pegasus. It intends to launch fully half of these (seven missions) in 1996.
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