Orbital Sciences Ships Taurus II Booster Cores via the Port of Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Del. – The Port of Wilmington today offloaded the first of six to twelve first‐stagecore structures for the Taurus® II rocket that is being developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation(NYSE:ORB) , one of the world's leading space technology companies. These 100 ft long and 15ft wide cores originate in the Ukraine and will be trucked to the Wallops Island, VA launch siteon a custom‐built heavy‐duty trailer. Orbital’s Taurus II space launch vehicle is a medium‐classlauncher that will be used to conduct resupply missions to the International Space Station, aswell as a launcher for civil government, defense and intelligence, and commercial satellites.
“Handling Orbital’s rocket booster cores is a great compliment to the Port of Wilmington andthe State of Delaware. It underscores our excellent location and infrastructure, as well as ourlogistical expertise,” said Diamond State Port Corporation Executive Director, Gene Bailey.“Furthermore, the fact that Delaware’s Departments of Transportation and the Department ofSafety and Homeland Security are very accommodating in facilitating truck permitting and policeand utilities escorts for such complex movement of cargo has been very helpful to ourcustomers,” he added.
The movement of this high‐value piece was complex because the core unit was discharged off auniquely configured stern ramp Ro‐Ro (Roll‐on Roll‐off) ship that required special mooringarrangements. In addition, the unit will be driven on a custom‐made truck, which is challengingto maneuver along public roadways. In preparation for the discharge, Orbital conducted asuccessful data collection test transport run in June 2010 driving a booster mock‐up from thePort to the Wallops Island, VA launch facility.
About the Port of Wilmington, Delaware
Founded in 1923, the Port of Wilmington is a full service Mid‐Atlantic seaport on the Delaware Riverstrategically located serving over 200 million North American consumers by overnight truck and raildelivery. Wilmington ranks as the nation’s leading gateway for imported perishable cargo, and a majorautomobile export hub to the Middle East, Central America, and West Africa. In recent years, projectcargo handled by the Port includes: wind turbine blades, a methanol plant, and oversized generators. Aneconomic engine for the State of Delaware and the region, it is responsible for 14,900 jobs, $405 million inbusiness revenue, and $28 million in annual local taxes. The Port is owned and operated by the DiamondState Port Corporation, a corporation of the State of Delaware.
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